Tools for Changing the Narrative About Male Survivors of Violence

• NCJ Number: 252061
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 52 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2015-VF-GX-K025
• Agencies: OVC-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Reference Material; Instructional Material (Programmed)

Annotation

As part of an OVC (Office for Victims of Crime) grant to the Healing Justice Alliance (HJA) to provide training and technical assistance to grantees under OVC's FY 2015 Supporting Male Survivors of Violence Initiative, this toolkit assists grantees in changing the public narrative about male survivors of violence.

Abstract

OVC recognizes that in order for crime victims to recover physically, emotionally, and financially, there must be a significant shift in the way victim services are provided. This is especially the case for victim services to young men of color. OVC selected 12 demonstration projects across the country to create and implement culturally relevant and trauma-informed programs and interventions to engage male survivors of violence, specifically young men of color and their families impacted by trauma and violence. This toolkit for these demonstration programs guides them in developing message and media strategies that are aligned with program goals. The toolkit is divided into two parts: 1) "General Strategic Communications Tools" and 2) "Tools for Working with the New Media." The general strategic communications tool are relevant to communication with target audiences, whether or not this includes the news media; for example, one general communications tool provides a basic formula for developing strategic messages. These guidelines are useful whether writing a grant report, conversing with a policymaker, or talking to a media reporter. The other major section of the toolkit focuses on the particular opportunities and challenges of communications with the news media. This is a priority for organizations that either want to expand their media presence or wish to be better prepared for handling inquiries from journalists.