"I never raped anybody, why should I care? It's not *my* fault."
Men Can Stop Rape...because men are raped. We don't like to think about it, and we don't like to talk about it, but it’s a fact. Studies show that a staggering 10‐20% of males are sexually violated at some point in their lives. Men are not immune to the epidemic of sexual violence. Nor are male survivors safe from the stigma that society attaches to victims of rape. When reporting the assault, male survivors are often doubted, called gay, or blamed for their own victimization. Frequently, they respond, as do many female survivors, by remaining silent and suffering alone.
...because rape confines men. Taking into account that 80% of victims know the man that raped them, it becomes virtually impossible for women to distinguish “safe guys” from men who are dangerous and therefore a “potential rapist.” The result is a society with its guard up. Relationships with men are approached with fear and mistrust. Intimacy is limited by the constant threat of violence.
...because men know survivors. At some point in every man's life, someone close to him will likely disclose that they are a survivor of sexual violence. Men must be prepared to respond with sensitivity, compassion, and understanding. Ignorance on the part of men can only hinder the healing process and may even contribute to the survivor feeling even more victimized. A supportive male presence during a survivor's recovery, however, can be invaluable.
...because men can STOP rape. Rape is using sex as a weapon for power and control. For rape to stop, men must be empowered to make different choices. All men can play a vital role in this process by challenging rape‐supporting behaviors and by raising awareness about the damaging impact of rape. Every time a man's voice joins those of women in speaking out against rape, the world becomes safer for us all.
Edit to add image:
Tons more on their website and their Facebook page.
Website Men Can Stop Rape
Facebook Men Can Stop Rape
= new reply since forum marked as read
Anything I can do to reduce the threat level I do.
Peace
why, if you do not condone this action, do you not say something both to the person who brags, jokes or does it and why do you not do anything about it? THAT is the problem. There are so many ways our society (mostly men but also women and just groups in general) excuse this by letting it go.
Why is it so hard to say something when a nasty joke is told that demeans women? It seems many do not recognize that as a huge part of the problem. Dehumanizing someone or a group of someone's is always a good start leading to abuse. So why is it so hard? Are they as afraid of a group of men as we might be? Are they afraid they will be dehumanized or belittled by being compared to, ACK!, a little girl? Why can't they take that?
I have seen that with my husband and my sons. My sons are getting it but they are part of the age group that thinks using words takes away their power. It has been a hard slog with them but I think as they are getting older, late 20's, they are finally getting it. My husband tries then ends up lol-ing at someone else's dirty joke, always about women. It makes me so angry but he is trying and getting better slowly. He comes from the most misogynistic family I think I have ever known. Thankfully his generation is coming around since all the old men are dead. Still, why is it just not a brick to the head of recognition and then a change of behavior? Why are men scared of men?
Hope this made sense, done as a fly by. I am interested in this topic.
From Men of Strength at the U of Montana's "My best move..." campaign.
Missoula County Sheriff Carl Ibsen. (I thought it was Patrick Stewart at first, LOL.)
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMMenOfStrength
From their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UMMenOfStrength
river or putting in some miles on the trail, don't let your buddy give men a bad name. Let him know how you feel about street/river/trail harassment and we'll all enjoy our summer that much more!
Reply from a woman:
And their response:
Thanks for commenting XXXXX, if whistles don't bother you, that's great! One less thing to worry about! But, not everyone feels the same way. I guess that's the thing with whistles and comments intended for somebody you don't know: you just
don't know how they're going to interpret it. A whistle may be meant as a compliment but be interpreted as a threat. Research also shows that whistles and catcalls are part of a spectrum of sexual violence; they are behaviors that can lead to more severe actions, and even if they don't, they perpetuate a culture which objectifies women and supports sexualized aggression and violence. We don't think guys need to stop interacting with women altogether, we just don't think that yelling "hey baby" out the window of a passing car is the way to do it. How about an old-fashioned introduction?
Nice.
Someone commented that they loved that it said "ally to women" and not that they would "protect" women.
Yes, that.
Not to be using it as a "hit" chick magnet thing. LOL. That was the first thing I thought too. Paranoid? Yes, with adequate reasons to be so. I don't think the men in this group would put up with that Feels good to say that.
Yes! This is what needs to happen. This kind of thing needs to spread.
Nobody whistles at me anymore, too old now and that is great but I still see and hear this crap directed at younger women. Or at least I hear about it, I am too isolated now to really ever be around when something like this would happen.
I have lived my life waiting for something like this. It is always nice to talk to or see a post by a single man who gets it, who does this but to see an organization of this is something truly special. Men need to make this happen. The victims are never able to do it themselves, never. Civil rights needed people who were not victims as allies. LGBT civil rights in this time need allies. Women do too, people, men, who will support and try to take care of their dirty side of the aisle so we can work together with women leading the way as it should be. Not to protect but to ally with. Wonderful.
I am smiling <-----see?
