Basic ideas
National statistics reflect that one in three women will suffer physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner during her lifetime. This means that we all know somebody who is a survivor of violence. Beyond that, because of high incidence of violence against women, many women live in constant fear of assault. For example, ask any woman you know what daily precautions she takes to avoid sexual assault. Chances are she’ll have a pretty lengthy list. Point being, violence impacts the lives of women close to us, which in turn impacts our relationships and our communities.
MEN KNOW SURVIVORS
At some point in every man's life, someone close to him will likely disclose that she/he is a survivor of sexual or domestic violence and ask for help. Men must be prepared to respond with care, sensitivity, compassion, and understanding. A supportive male presence during a survivor's recovery can be invaluable.
MEN RAPE
The great majority of all sexually violent crimes are committed by males. Even when men are sexually victimized, other men are most often the perpetrators.
MEN ARE RAPED
We don't like to think about it, and we don't like to talk about it, but the fact is that men can also be sexually victimized. Studies show that a staggering 10-20% of all males are sexually violated at some point in their lifetimes. 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. Male survivors are often disbelieved, accused of being gay, or blamed for their own victimization when they report an incident of sexual assault. Frequently, they respond, as do many female survivors, by remaining silent and suffering alone.
RAPE CONFINES MEN
When some men rape, and when 70% of those who are raped know the man who attacked them, it becomes virtually impossible to distinguish men who are safe from men who are dangerous, men who can be trusted from men who can't, men who will rape from men who won't. The result is a society with its guard up, where relationships with men are approached with fear and mistrust, where intimacy is limited by the constant threat of violence, and where all men are labeled "potential rapists."
MEN CAN STOP VIOLENCE
For violence against women to stop, men who are violent must be empowered to make different choices. All men can play a vital role in this process by challenging violence- and rape-supporting attitudes and behaviors and raising awareness about the damaging impact of sexual violence. Every time a man's voice joins those of women in speaking out against rape and domestic violence, the world becomes safer for us all.
This information adapted from: http://www.mencanstoprape.org
