What YOU Can Do to Prevent Violence against Women

While both men and women can be victims of violence, violence against women, often at the hands of men, is a unique category of violence that relies on the historical and current unequal balance of power between men and women, boys and girls. Violence against women is the crucial element that reinforces men’s power and control over women throughout the world. On some level, most of us participate in the culture that supports and encourages violence against women and girls, in both small ways (like telling our friends to “man up” when they have to do something difficult) to large ways (beating and raping women and girls). Here are some small and big ways we can work to end it, or at least interrupt it, every single day.

For everyone:

Educate yourself on violence against women; learn the facts and the prevalence

Believe survivors

Contact your local legislators and political leaders and advocate for tougher laws against perpetrators of violence against women

Know that dating violence & sexual assault affects 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys by the time they are 18

Contact your local school board and ask them to address sexual harassment in schools

Speak out against all forms of violence

Question gender roles and assumptions

Respect and embrace diversity

Respect a person’s-even a child’s- right to say no

Respect your partner’s right to disagree or have their own opinion

Don’t blame victims, and reinforce that rape is never the victim’s fault

Strive for equality for everyone

Understand that putting boys and men down by calling them “ladies” and “girls” hurts everyone

Speak out against the media’s portrayal of violence

Learn how racism, sexism and homophobia are connected

Acknowledge that it does happen in your own community

Learn about power and control tactics

Attend Take Back the Night events

Ask permission before pursuing physical or sexual contact with someone

Realize that sexual violence is about power and control, not sex

Teach kids that respect is the minimum in a relationship, and lead by example

Advocate for victim’s rights

Ask your priest, rabbi, pastor, cleric, or spiritual leader to hold a special service to raise awareness and promote safety for victims and accountability for perpetrators.

Avoid engaging in, supporting or encouraging sexual harassment by speaking up when you see or hear it

Teach kids that violence will not solve problems

Know that most sex offenders aren’t strangers · 86% are known to their victim

Avoid making threats or using coercion and pressure to get sex

Be courageous; don’t be afraid to speak up for those who have lost their voice or dignity

Praise women and girls for something other than the way they look

Speak out against racist, sexist or homophobic jokes

Advocate for more youth violence prevention programs

Get others to speak out against sexual violence

Stop your sexual advances if the other person says no and encourage others to do the same

Avoid buying music that glorifies sexual violence and the objectification of women and girls

Urge your local radio stations to stop playing music that contains violent lyrics

Applaud others who speak out against violence and oppression

Invite a speaker from HAVEN to share with your class, work or community group

Pledge to never commit or condone acts of violence

Stop yourself or others from taking advantage of someone who is intoxicated

Make a decision to become an active bystander by speaking up and calling for help when necessary

Respect the choices victims and survivors make to survive

Encourage your local college and universities to offer prevention education to students

Empathize

Work toward eliminating oppression of all kinds

Think globally and act locally

Hold perpetrators accountable for disrespecting their partners when you see it or hear it

Engage others in discussions about violence against women

Learn about healthy boundaries and don’t be afraid to voice your feelings in your relationship

Notice when someone invades your boundaries

Report it if you witness sexual harassment in your school or workplace

Post awareness materials in restrooms and break rooms for easy & confidential accessibility

Celebrate all aspects of masculinity, including compassion and sensitivity

 

For men:

Choose your words carefully and respectfully when speaking of women in your life

Show your strength by speaking up to men who are using their strength for hurting

Refuse to let TV, movies, music or other people define what it means to be a man for you

Understand that it takes more than just not being a batterer or a rapist to be a good guy

Treat all women and girls with respect

Don’t patronize sex workers or strip clubs

Ask, don’t assume you know what your partner wants

Get involved with the Men Can Stop Rape movement at www.mencanstoprape.com

Refuse to coerce or manipulate your partner in order to get your way; be willing to compromise

 

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