Defined by the World Health Organization as the rules or expectations of behavior within a specific cultural or social group, these often unspoken norms offer social standards of appropriate and inappropriate behavior that govern what is (and is not) acceptable in our interactions with others. Social or cultural norms are highly influential over individual behavior in a broad variety of contexts, including violence and its prevention due to the fact that norms can create an environment that can either foster or mitigate violence and its deleterious effects.
The Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Global Violence Prevention will hold a 2-day public workshop on October 29-30, 2015 to explore the cultural and social norms that underlie the acceptance of violence, with a particular focus on violence against women across the lifespan, violence against children, and youth violence. The workshop panels will focus on the characteristics, variations, and determinants related to social and cultural norms in this context; what is known about the effectiveness of efforts to alter those norms in order to prevent and mitigate such violence; and the role of multiple sectors and stakeholders in its prevention. These discussions will pull from a broad variety of disciplines and perspectives, including the public health, social sciences, technology, public safety, human rights, policy, and legal sectors. Additionally, there will be ample time for open discussion among invited experts, Forum Members, attendees, and for the first time, an opportunity for live questions from our webcast audience.
This is an activity of the IOM’s Forum on Global Violence Prevention, which was formed in 2010. It is a multisectoral group of stakeholders who are committed to reducing violence and promoting healthy development worldwide by encouraging multidisciplinary research that emphasizes the value of prevention through a public health approach. An appointed committee, supported by the staff of the Forum on Global Violence Prevention, will develop the workshop agenda, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. Experts will be drawn from the public and private sectors as well as from academic organizations to allow for multi-lateral, evidence-based discussions. An individually-authored summary of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Videos from October 29, 2015
Welcome
Introduction
Session 1
The Scientific and Theoretical Grounding of Social Norms
A Public Health and Anthropological Perspective on Social Norms
Social Norms in the Context of Violence Against Women and Children
Social Norms Intervention Modeling
Discussion
Session 2
Share Key Findings
Session 3
Overview of the Mediums of Technology, Communications, and Media and Their Interaction with Violence and Violence Prevention Efforts
How News Media Shapes Our Understanding of Youth Violence and Sexual Assault
Innovative Approaches to Utilizing These Mediums for Intervention Efforts
Panel Discussion
Session 4
Introduction
An Overview of the Intersection of Religion and Social Norms and How Those Norms Affect Gender Equality
Religion in the Context of Sexual Identity and Identity Politics
Panel Discussion
Session 5
Engaging Men and Boys in the Fight for Gender Equity
Reducing the Cultural Practices that Harm Women and Girls
Panel Discussion
Videos from October 30, 2015
Welcome and Recap of Day 1
Session 1
The Impacts of Chronic Exposure to Violence on Human Development and Social Relations
The Lived Experience: Overcoming a Culture of Violence
The Impact of Violence, Environment, and Social Norms on Indigenous Populations
Panel Discussion
Session 2
The Legal and Practice Frameworks
Violence Against LGBT Youth: The Global Perspective
Panel Discussion
Session 3
The Role of Women as Peacebuilders or Countering Violent Extremism
Day 3 Session 3 (Fink)
Panel Discussion
Session 4
The Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children
Discussion
Wrap-Up & Adjournment