You can choose to play a key role in ending violence.
Listen to and believe victims
False reporting when it comes to either domestic violence or sexual assault is rare. In fact, every 98 seconds, someone in the U.S. in sexually assaulted. Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.1
It is important to listen and believe someone when they disclose.
Change the way you think about gender
Our society has a set of ideas about how we expect men and women, boys and girls, to dress, behave, and present themselves. Extreme gender stereotypes are harmful because they don’t allow people to fully express themselves and their emotions.
For example, it’s harmful to masculine folks to feel that they’re not allowed to cry or express sensitive emotions. And it’s harmful to feminine folks to feel that they’re not allowed to be independent, smart or assertive. Breaking down gender stereotypes allows everyone to be their best selves.2
Teach the children in your life about consent
Teaching a kid about consent has nothing to do with teaching them about sex. It’s about respecting boundaries. The videos provided on the right are an amazing way to get this conversation started. 3
Speak up when you hear something wrong, own up to it when you do something wrong
Speak out if you hear someone else make an offensive joke or trivializing rape. Hold abusers accountable for their actions; do not let them make excuses like blaming the victim, alcohol, or drugs for their behavior.
Be willing to give your time, talent, and money to DVSAS and other organizations that are making a difference
Continue learning
Brave Miss World Documentary
Miss Israel Linor Abargil was abducted, stabbed, and raped in Milan, Italy, at age 18. She had to represent her country in the Miss World competition only six weeks later. When to her shock she was crowned the winner, she vowed to do something about rape. The film follows her from the rape, to her crowning and through her crusade to fight for justice and break the silence. During her travels to speak out and meet with other rape victims, her own trauma begins to resurface. Her serial rapist becomes eligible for parole, and she has to hunt down his previous victims in order to help keep him behind bars. The film explores the trauma of sexual assault through one young woman’s journey from teenage rape victim to Miss World to empowered lawyer and activist. Now streaming on Netflix.
The Mask You Live In Documentary
The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. Now streaming on Netflix.
Coaching Boys Into Men Prevention Program
Athletic coaches play an extremely influential and unique role in the lives of young men. Because of these relationships, coaches are poised to positively influence how young men think and behave, both on and off the field. Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is the only evidence-based prevention program that trains and motivates high school coaches to teach their young male athletes healthy relationship skills and that violence never equals strength.