On October 2, more than 1,300 people came together in downtown Honolulu for the 31st Annual Men’s March Against Domestic Violence.
This year’s theme, Men of Aloha, was a powerful reminder that men can use their voices to take a stand against gender-based violence and help build a community of respect, safety, and compassion.
How It Began
The Men’s March traces its roots back to 1994, when the women of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i challenged the men in our agency to take action against domestic violence. Answering that call, counselor Joe Bloom, LCSW, gathered his colleagues and organized the first Men’s March.
What began with a handful of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i staff marching through downtown grew into a movement. At the end of that first march, participants rang a bell to honor victims who had lost their lives to domestic violence in the past year. Soon, civic leaders, the Bishop of Honolulu, schools, businesses, and community organizations joined the cause.
Each year, the march grew. The University of Hawai‘i athletic department, UH John A. Burns School of Medicine, Catholic high schools, and other businesses became regular participants. At the conclusion of every march, men took a pledge to end domestic violence in their families and communities.
A Legacy of Advocacy
When Catholic Charities Hawai‘i leader Jerry Rauckhorst retired in 2015, the leadership of the Men’s March was entrusted to the Domestic Violence Action Center, who continue to carry the mission forward today.
Moving Forward Together
Three decades later, the Men’s March Against Domestic Violence continues to unite men, women, and families from across Hawai‘i in a shared commitment: to stand up, speak out, and create a future free of domestic violence.
