Matt Tyler, Executive Director of the Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services & Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, international expert in domestic and family violence, will Address the National Press Club to launch the landmark Adolescent Man Box Report.
This Australian-first study surveyed 1400 teens of all genders to understand the extent to which they endorse a set of rigid masculine norms. The findings reveal stark connections between conformity to these norms and intimate partner relationships, mental health, bullying and violence, engagement with pornography and risk-taking behaviours including alcohol use and gambling.
The Address will highlight how the report findings inform urgent national conversations about young people’s online lives, masculinity, teen mental health, gender equity and violence among young people including image-based and technology facilitated abuse. Responding to widespread concerns raised by parents, educators and others, this report makes a number of recommendations for governments, schools and the wider community to improve outcomes for adolescents of all genders.
At a time when Australia faces rising concern about youth mental health, the use of violence, and the influence of online misogyny, this study provides critical new evidence to inform action on priority national issues.
The Adolescent Man Box Report provides essential evidence for shaping a safer, healthier future for young Australians. It is crucial reading for everyone from policy-makers, frontline service providers, parents and community leaders, including teachers and others working with young people.
BIOS
Matt Tyler is one of Australia’s leading advocates focussed on improving the lives of children and young people. As Executive Director of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services, he has led groundbreaking work to reduce violence, prevent child sexual abuse and promote flourishing amongst men and boys themselves. This has included leading Australian first research on the Man Box and translating that into practice across hundreds of schools, sports clubs and community organisations. He has also overseen development of Australia’s first helpline – Stop it Now! – to prevent child sexual abuse as well as development of a related service to prevent harmful sexual behaviours among young people. Prior to joining Jesuit Social Services, he worked as a Fellow for Harvard’s Government Performance Lab focused on child protection, has been part of significant reforms to family violence services and child protection in Australia, and worked with government as both a political staffer and a bureaucrat.
Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon is Professor (Practice) with the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University and an Honorary Professorial Fellow with the Melbourne Law School at University of Melbourne. Kate holds affiliated research appointments with the School of Law and Social Justice at University of Liverpool (UK) and the Research Center on Violence at West Virginia University (US). Kate is a leading scholar in the field of family violence, femicide, criminal justice and law reform. Kate has advised on homicide law reform and family violence reviews in several Australian and international jurisdictions. She is also the Chair of Respect Victoria and the author of Our National Crisis: Violence Against Women and Children.
