What men can do to prevent sexual assault
What men can do to prevent sexual assault
Facts
20% of women and 10% of men are sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. While most men are not sexually violent Over 95% of perpetrators of sexual assault are male.
We can reduce sexual violence but only if men like you get involved.
Why men are reluctant to get involved?
While most men are not sexually violent, many men are reluctant to get involved with sexual assault prevention. WHY?
- Lack of awareness of the problem/Not believing there is a problem. Not knowing what to do
- Some men have the attitude “I don’t rape, so it’s not my responsibility”
- Standing up for sexual assault prevention puts a negative spin on sexuality.
- Unconscious shame and guilt. Many men are still taught that it is their role to be the initiators of sexual behavior, Given the societal reluctance to talking about sex, many men have engaged is some sort of sexual behavior without explicit consent from their partner.
- Men don’t interfere with other men. There seems to be an unspoken rule among men that men don’t intervene in the lives of other men, particularly in regard to sexual/romantic behavior.
What you can do to prevent sexual assault
- Educate yourself about sexual assault
- Get involved! Stand up! Speak out! Participate in Domestic violence awareness/Sexual Assault Awareness Months/ and Take Back the Night.
- Explore your own power and privilege as a male.
- Examine/become aware of possible sexist, racist, homophobic beliefs you might have. If you are prone to violence, seek help!
- Be a positive role model. Make sure you only have sex with consenting partners.
- Learn bystander intervention skills
- Volunteer/donate
- Your campus & community women’s/ sexual assault prevention/domestic violence prevention Centers
- Men’s Centers/campus & community programs that work with men to reduce violence.
- Promote social justice on your campus/in your community.
What’s one thing you can do today to prevent sexual assault!
For more information: contact: McKenzie River Men’s Center: Jon Davies, PhD. PossibleMasculinities.com
