Redefining Masculinity with Matt Brown: 16 Days of Activism
Event description
Proudly presented by Women’s Health Loddon Mallee + the Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence network
Matt Brown, internationally acclaimed hair artist and founder of the anti-violence movement "She is Not Your Re-hab", speaks about his work in redefining masculinity to help end the cycle of domestic violence affecting families throughout the world. In conversation with Camilo Demarco, creator/facilitator of the Merrijig Mooroopook (Healthy Spirits) program, a men’s healing program that works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who have used family violence.
This event is open to everybody.
Trigger warning: This discussion may touch on themes that could be triggering for some, including family violence, child sexual abuse, self harm and suicide.
Please exercise self care when deciding whether to attend this event.
About Matt Brown:
Mataio (Matt) Faafetai Malietoa Brown is a New Zealand born Samoan and an author, communicator, an internationallyacclaimed barber and hair artist; known for ‘giving great cuts’ and ‘inspiring great men.’
He is a survivor of family violence and childhood sexual abuse and shares his story with the men who frequent his busy Christchurch barbershop, My Fathers Barbers, as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection. He has facilitated multiple barbering programs inside Christchurch Men’s Prison, Te Puna Wai O Tuhinapo, a Christchurch youth justice facility and was named a Corrections NZ patron in 2020.
Matt has cut everyone from All Blacks to the Wu Tang Clan but his true calling, he believes, lies in his work to redefine societies view of masculinity and to help end the cycle of domestic violence affecting whānau all over New Zealand; hosting free men’s anti violence support groups from locations like his barbershop, construction sites, prisons and on marae.
Since 2018 Matt and his wife Sarah have partnered with the Ministry of Social Development as ambassadors for their ‘It's not OK Campaign’ and are currently funded to develop an app to promote healing for indigenous men. Together they co-founded She Is Not Your Rehab and launched the concept in Matt’s 2019 TEDx talk. Matt says the movement is an invitation for men to acknowledge their own childhood trauma and to take responsibility for their healing so that they can transform their pain instead of transmitting it on those around them.
Matt Brown's book She is Not Your Re-Hab is available in all good book stores.
She is Not Your Re-Hab is also available to purchase as an audiobook here.
Watch Matt Brown's TEDx Talk:
About Camilo Demarco (MC):
Camilo Demarco is a Uruguayan man living and working on Dja Dja Wurrung Country and currently works as part of the Family Safety Team at Bendigo District Aboriginal Cooperative.
He is the co-creator/facilitator of the Merrijig Mooroopook (Healthy Spirits) program, a men’s healing program that works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who have used family violence.
Camilo will be travelling overseas in 2023 as part of a Churchill Fellowship exploring how First Nations and Pacific Islander communities are working with men who have used family violence.
He is one of the organizers/facilitators in the Castlemaine Rites of Passage team and has been participating in and facilitating men’s groups and circles for 15 years.
Camilo has previously worked in the alcohol and other drugs and youth justice sectors which embedded in him a strong belief in a trauma-informed and strength based approach to working with people. Camilo is passionate about community work and social justice issues and believes that everyone has a story worthy of being heard and shared.