Episode 52

full
Published on:

19th Mar 2025

Getting to the Roots of Men's Violence in Australia - Tarang Chawla

Tarang Chawla knows firsthand the devastating impacts of men’s violence, and the ripple effects it sends through families and communities – including on other boys and men. This is what led him to set up Not One More Niki, in memory of his younger sister Nikita who was murdered by her partner in 2015. Tarang is one of Australia’s most well-known and outspoken male advocates against gender-based violence. He talks to us about where he thinks Australian society needs to go from here in its efforts to end men’s violence against women, after a year in which a series of terrible murders brought this onto the agenda in a way not seen before. 

We also discuss the position of gender equality and masculinity in the upcoming Australian federal election, including on issues such as ‘law and order’; coming to terms with racism and colonialism in Australia and the UK; and why understanding boys’ and men’s experiences of race and class can help us to reach out to them more meaningfully. 

Tarang is an award-winning speaker, writer, advocate, and recovering lawyer. Among other things, he is a Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and a sessional academic at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. He also wrote, produced and hosted the first two series of the acclaimed podcast There's No Place Like Home.

Episode timeline

  • Intro and acknowledgement of country
  • Tarang’s journey into working to end men’s violence against women (03:17-06:28)
  • Media portrayals of men who use violence (06:28-10:49)
  • Talking about the ripple effects of men’s violence (10:49-14:04)
  • The obstacles of masculine expectations (14:04-16:15)
  • Men’s experiences of child sexual abuse (16:15-21:30)
  • Being a spokesperson on these issues as a man (21:30-27:42)
  • Break
  • The impact of recent high-profile murders of Australian women (27:53-32:17)
  • Debates about prevention work in Australia (32:17-36:35)
  • Masculinity in the upcoming Australian election (36:35-39:09)
  • Discourses about being ‘tough on crime’ (39:09-43:00)
  • The pushback against equity and diversity initiatives (43:00-46:06)
  • Racism in Australia (46:06-49:12)
  • Understanding men and boys’ own experiences of marginalisation (49:12-54:43)
  • Conclusion [Addressing sexism and racism simultaneously; Punitive responses to crime; Coming to the terms with British colonialism] (56:06-01:02:09)

More info

Thank you to Dom Stichbury and Chaps Choir for providing our new music with their song 'Now is time' https://www.facebook.com/ChapsChoir/

All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Now and Men

About the Podcast

Now and Men
Current conversations about men's lives
What's it like to be a man in the 21st century? How are feminist issues relevant to men and boys? How can we engage in productive conversations about gender equality? These questions are being discussed more than ever.

Our monthly podcast delves into these issues with experts such as practitioners, activists and academics. In each episode, you’ll hear in-depth conversations about a wide-range of topics connected to masculinity and the lives of men and boys, from supporting men's health, to preventing gender-based violence, to promoting involved fatherhood.

The podcast is hosted by two social science researchers, based on the opposite sides of the world: Sandy Ruxton from Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (UK) and Dr Stephen Burrell from the University of Melbourne (Australia). If you would like to give us your feedback, suggest a guest, or have a question you'd like us to discuss, get in touch at nowandmen@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, please share us with your friends, and leave a review!

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

Profile picture for Stephen Burrell
I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne. I'm originally from the UK, and moved to Australia at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities, and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence - especially violence against women, and violence against the environment - and promoting care as an alternative. I'm a big fan of feminism, drinking tea, connecting with nature, eating vegan snacks, and listening to heavy metal.

Sandy Ruxton

Profile picture for Sandy Ruxton
Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Durham University (UK). Independent researcher, expert on men and masculinities. Previous policy work on human rights, children and families, poverty and social exclusion, and asylum and migration. Programme experience with boys and young men in schools, community, and prisons. Steering Committee member, MenEngage Europe. Volunteer for OX4 Food Crew. Chess-player, bike-rider, tree-hugger. Great grandfather edited Boy's Own Paper, but was sacked.