Why Should Men Become Involved in Ending Violence Against Women
Men are greatly affected by domestic and sexual violence towards women. Most men are in relationships with at least one woman who has been or will become emotionally and/ or physically traumatized by violence. It may be their intimate partners, mothers, daughters, sisters, other family members, co-workers or friends.
The incredible financial cost of violence to our communities includes time lost from work and work productivity, medical expenses, judicial system costs, social service systems, etc. The emotional cost to families and individuals can carry over for generations.
Men also perpetrate the vast majority of violent crimes against other men. Though most men are not violent or abusive, those that are leave an insidious aftermath of destruction and victims for the rest of the community to absorb. It is in men’s best interest to become involved in stopping other men from perpetrating violence in all its forms.
Men are uniquely qualified to change our culture’s acceptance of violence against women and other forms of violence. Men will listen to other men on these issues and not dismiss it as a women’s issue. Men have an immense influence on how our children perceive the world and themselves - especially for boys who look up to their fathers and older men as role models.
Domestic and sexual violence is about power and control. Gender-based violence is about maintaining the power and privilege men have over women and straight men have over gay men. Many other forms of privilege and discrimination are related to this gender-based inequality; white people over people of color, adults over youth, citizen over immigrants, etc. Challenging gender-based violence is key for men to challenge oppression as a whole, including the oppression they suffer.
What Men Can Do
- Hold peers accountable for their actions. Don’t let them make excuses for verbal or physical abuse like “I was drunk” or try to place the blame on the victim.
- Be a safe and supportive ally for women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.
- Dedicate yourself to being a positive role model for boys by volunteering to mentor youth in your community.
- Educate yourself on oppression of women and violence. Look internally at your own personal relationships, biases and attitudes towards women. Challenge those attitudes and biases.
- Speak out when you see fellow males displaying sexist behaviors such as catcalling women, talking about women as sexual objects and making sexist statements or jokes.
- Support women's leadership and equality in politics, sports and employment..
- Empower the women and girls in your life.