The Male Ally Network, a pioneering new initiative to engage men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls has partnered with emotional trauma experts CLEAR to deliver bespoke training in what it’s hoped will become a nationally recognised programme.
The Male Ally Network in Cornwall will focus on encouraging men to become visible allies and champions for women and girls. It is being partly funded by money seized by Devon & Cornwall Police from self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, with additional funding provided by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as part of its wider Disrupt project which is trying to find new ways to tackle violence against women and girls.
The Male Ally Network aims to create practical, engaging training that equips men with the confidence and skills to challenge harmful behaviour and become positive role models.
Following a competitive tender process, CLEAR, which is based in Cornwall, was chosen to deliver training. The first allies and champions will be starting their training next month (September), with the first cohort due to qualify in November. Those already signed up come from all walks of life.
If successful, it is hoped the programme will be expanded into Devon next year. To sign up and be kept informed of training opportunities people are being asked to visit a dedicated page on the OPCC website.
Basic training for allies will cover topics such as understanding the local context of male violence against women and girls in Cornwall, recognising how gender norms and masculinity influence behaviour, learning how to identify online harms and sexist cultures, and applying trauma‑informed communication principles.
Advanced training for champions will offer an opportunity to gain the deeper skills needed to challenge harmful behaviours safely and confidently, as well as an understanding of safeguarding pathways.
CLEAR chief executive Carolyn Webster and deputy chief executive Andy Brelsford said: “We are delighted to be chosen to support the delivery of this incredibly important piece of work.
“It’s easy to feel daunted by the scale of the challenge around violence against women and girls, but thanks to the development of the Male Ally Network, anyone and everyone can play their part in calling out inappropriate attitudes and behaviour. Together we can make Cornwall a safer and more secure place for one and all.”
Project lead Alexis Bowater said: “I have been really struck by the number of men who are really thrilled that we’re doing this and giving them an opportunity to help.
“There is so much enthusiastic support coming from all walks of life. People are recognising that we all need to work together as a team to tackle the problem of male violence against women and girls.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “It is very exciting to be at the stage where we can begin launching the Male Ally Network. It will see Cornwall position itself at the forefront of a new national conversation on male allyship and become an exemplar in leading the disruption of violence against women and girls.
“For too long we have tackled this problem by expecting women to change their behaviours, now we are looking to men to step forward and become part of the solution.”