By Lucy Waldron
To provide, to lead and to protect. That’s the traditional, now antiquated, definition of a man’s role, isn’t it?
When it comes to gendered violence, however, do they provide, lead and protect?
Recent discourse points to no, but there is hope in educating before the problems arise.
Warwick-based Dr Curtis Rayment is a leading figure with his school-based program It’s A Man’s Issue, which looks to address gendered violence and the role men play in it.
“The workshops help young men and women understand consent and what toxic masculinity and rape culture is by generating dialogue and education,” Curtis said.
Launched in 2021, the program began when Curtis identified a significant gap in education regarding consent and the role young men play in fostering safe environments. However, Curtis’s motivation for this initiative is deeply personal.
After a close friend was sexually assaulted by a man within their social circle, Curtis witnessed firsthand the trauma she endured and the reactions of those around her. This prompted him to reflect on his own life, attitudes, and past actions.
“It really concerned me and made me think back to my life, the things I have done, the attitudes and beliefs I’ve held, and how they may have contributed to what happened to her and to many other women across Australia,” Curtis said.
“Looking back, I realised there wasn’t anyone in my life who had those tough conversations with me early on.“
Curtis firmly believes that engaging young people in these discussions can significantly shape their values and belief systems.
A graduate of James Cook University’s Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery program, Curtis aspires to become a Rural Generalist.
Raised on his family’s cattle property west of Winton, he is currently completing his placement at Warwick Hospital.
By sharing his experiences from college, the rugby sheds, and mustering camps, Curtis aims to inspire other men to challenge their own behaviours and those of their peers, transforming them into part of the solution rather than the problem.
“We’ve spoken to nearly 7000 students across Queensland now so there is definitely a demand for [the program],” Curtis said
“And from the surveys that I conduct with the students after each workshop over 95 per cent say they got something out of it and 95 per cent say the conversations that we had, they’ve never had before.
Curtis has found that people often get so worried about having these conversations and saying the wrong thing that they don’t say anything at all.
“I think it’s so important to have these conversations, to be very direct in the language we use and the way we talk about it to make a difference against gendered violence or should I say male violence against women but that’s ultimately what it is,” Curtis said.
Curtis was nominated for the 2024 Queensland Young Australian of the Year for the work he does with It’s A Man’s Issue and the program won funding from Project Speak Up!, a Townsville not-for-profit organisation that addresses domestic and sexual violence.
However, the success of It’s A Man’s Issue isn’t always visible in immediate results, but Curtis’ goal is to engage in these difficult conversations with as many people across Australia as possible.
From Cairns to Townsville, throughout the Darling Downs and with plans to hit Tasmania, the program has reached a significant number of people.
But Curtis believes these issues extend beyond the schoolyard, and the program aims to reach all sectors in the future.
“I don’t think this message should be limited to one group. Everyone needs to hear it, whether in the health industry, mining industry, engineering, law firms, or schools,” Curtis said.
“It’s a universal message and a conversation that needs to be had.”
To invite this program to your school or organisation and for more information visit itsamansissue.com/
