The group Gentle’men Against Domestic Violence has gotten men together in Naples over the past decade to raise money for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children and to also spread awareness to help prevent domestic abuse.
The group's biggest fundraising event of the year was held last week at the Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples. Attendees were greeted by classic casino games, like poker and roulette, enjoyed a whiskey tasting experience and raffles for luxury watches and designer clothes. It’s a theme that has evolved over the years as explained the event's coordinator, Colin Estrum.
"Originally we had a tailgate concept which was fun sports-themed, trying to get guys onboard with the cause and the past couple years, we’ve done a casino theme," Estrum said.
While the evening was all about fun and games, Estrum said the purpose for the gathering is to highlight the role men can play in the prevention of domestic violence.
This year’s keynote speaker, Jackson Katz, is an educator, author, filmmaker and cultural theorist. His Ted Talk, “Violence against Women is a Men’s Issue,” has more than two million views on Youtube.
"From a young age I thought: why should it be women who are the ones who are organizing and speaking out and doing whatever," Katz said. "The obvious missing piece is not women’s leadership its men’s leadership, where are the men?"
Katz said the men at the event's high-roller tables are in a unique position to influence change — to alter the idea that domestic abuse is solely a women’s issue by using their social clout to challenge the status quo.
“Of course we want to reach young people, that’s the ultimate goal," Katz said. But the strategy to get there is to leverage people in positions of influence and hold them accountable and push them, challenge them to step up."
Proceeds from the Gentlemen against domestic violence fundraiser help support the Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples.
