A NEW aimed at getting men and boys to help prevent violence against women and girls could be expanded into Devon next year if an initial programme in Cornwall proves successful.

The Male Ally Network has been launched in Cornwall to encourage men to become visible allies and champions for women and girls, with the ambition of developing a model that could eventually become nationally recognised.

The project is being partly funded by money seized by Devon & Cornwall Police from self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan. Additional funding has been provided by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through its wider Disrupt project, which is exploring new approaches to tackling violence against women and girls.

If the Cornwall scheme delivers the hoped-for results, the intention is to expand it into Devon next year.

The Male Ally Network has partnered with Cornwall-based emotional trauma experts CLEAR, which was selected following a competitive tender process to design and deliver bespoke training.

The first group of allies and champions will begin training in September, with the first cohort expected to qualify in November. Those who have already signed up come from a wide range of backgrounds.

The programme is designed to give men practical skills and the confidence to challenge harmful behaviour, while encouraging them to become positive role models in their workplaces, communities and social circles.

Basic training for allies will include understanding the local context of male violence against women and girls in Cornwall, exploring the influence of gender norms and masculinity on behaviour, recognising online harms and sexist cultures, and learning how to use trauma-informed communication.

Those progressing to become champions will receive more advanced training, including how to challenge harmful behaviour safely and confidently and an understanding of safeguarding pathways.

Project lead Alexis Bowater said the response from men wanting to get involved had been particularly encouraging.

‘I have been really struck by the number of men who are really thrilled that we’re doing this and giving them an opportunity to help’, she said.

‘There is so much enthusiastic support coming from all walks of life. People are recognising that we all need to work together as a team to tackle the problem of male violence against women and girls’.

CLEAR chief executive Carolyn Webster and deputy chief executive Andy Brelsford said the organisation was delighted to have been chosen to deliver the training.

They said the scale of the challenge could feel daunting, but the Male Ally Network meant ‘anyone and everyone’ could play a role in challenging inappropriate attitudes and behaviour.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said Cornwall was being positioned at the forefront of a new approach to tackling violence against women and girls.

‘It is very exciting to be at the stage where we can begin launching the Male Ally Network’, she said.

She added that the project could help Cornwall become ‘an exemplar’ in disrupting violence against women and girls.

“For too long we have tackled this problem by expecting women to change their behaviours, now we are looking to men to step forward and become part of the solution’, she said.