 Take
Action:
Men’s
Community Action
Five Project Ideas for Engaging Men
Shifting Social
Norms – Men and Boys Becoming Visible Allies
The projects described in this
guide demonstrate the variety of activities taking place today in communities
across Massachusetts, led primarily by the rape crisis centers and domestic
violence member organizations of Jane Doe Inc.
Men are already helping with
fundraising, governance and awareness activities, and of course, promoting
safety in their private relationships. The new steps we are taking are
larger public and visible steps. Social norms lead the way as to what
is right and proper behavior and as to what misbehavior we tolerate. Men
taking public steps has a direct impact on social norms change.
It is our hope that you will
find inspiration from these projects and repeat one or more of them –
or create one of your own – this coming year. These examples can
help with a starting place or provide new ideas for working with men and
boys in your community to help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.
The key guiding principle of
JDI’s White Ribbon Day Campaign in Massachusetts is to build a visible
and public male voice in the movement to create a world free of abuse.
Many of us, perhaps most men and boys, already do help in private ways.
We may know how to be respectful in our relationships. We may care unconditionally
for our children. We may know how to listen respectfully in conversation.
We may also deeply value collaboration, and we may be determined to support
our partners in their career and work. We may already provide financial
support to sexual assault and domestic violence programs.
The need for more public activities
and visible celebrations of men’s and boy’s commitment and
leadership is a vital next step. We believe it is vitally important that
men and male-identified individuals make these values visible to our friends,
colleagues and neighbors. By doing so, we can help change the social norms
of our community that determine what behavior is acceptable and what is
not. Through public celebration, we can promote the aspects of male culture
that encourage and generate peaceful and healthy relationships. By taking
action, we can contribute to the primary prevention of sexual assault,
domestic violence and violence against women.
So get ready
to roll up your sleeves and make a difference. Feel free to contact us
with your ideas and questions. We look forward to hearing about your successes.
DOWNLOADABLE
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Fundraising
Walk
School
Assembly
Parade
Float
Mothers
Day Pledge Signature Ad
Supply
Drive
Suggested
Web References
Acknowledgements
We
want to thank the activists and organizers in Massachusetts and across
the country and internationally for their work on fostering men’s
engagement.
This
document’s development was supported by the Rape Prevention Education
Grant #VF1CE001105-01, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Points of view
in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent
the official position or policies of the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Return
to White Ribbon Day home page
|
