A Call to Men

107 people gathered: 64 men and 43 women to make a commitment to ending violence against women in their communities.

The Attorney General, in partnership with the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, convened a meeting of men to:

• Discuss gender stereotypes that perpetuate violence against women;
• Identify barriers that exist to changing community attitudes about this violence; and
• Create a plan of action to change the culture of violence in our communities.

National leader and founder of A Call to Men, Tony Porter, engaged participants and explained that,

“A Call to Men is a national men’s organization that believes that ending violence against women is primarily the responsibility of men. Although historically it has been almost entirely women who have been at the forefront addressing this issue, we think it is essential that men play a primary role in the solution to end it. To do that, well meaning men… men who, for the most part don’t see themselves as part of the problem… need to get involved… the vision is to shift social norms that define manhood in our culture, and produce a national movement of men committed to ending violence against women.”

The men were asked to make an action plan during breakout sessions. The following themes emerged:

• Increase public awareness & outreach to men;
• Educate men in the workplace about violence against women;
• Mentor young men; and
• Organize men to make a public statement.

Since meeting in June, nine of the regional committees have reconvened, inviting other men into the fold and began to roll out there action plans.

Get involved! E-mail: nicky@mcedv.org, Subject Line: A Call To Men

Additionally, Governor Baldacci was the first Governor in the nation to sign on to the national Founding Fathers campaign. Read more...

A new poll commissioned by the Family Violence Prevention Fund with support from the Verizon Wireless Foundation finds that men are getting involved. More and more men say they are willing to help raise awareness, support victims, and promote healthy relationships.

Fifty six percent of men- and 60 percent of those ages 18 to 34- said they have reason to believe a member of their immediate or extended family, a close friend or acquaintance has been in a domestic or sexual assault situation. More than half think they can personally make at least some difference in preventing violence, and 73 percent think they can make at least some difference in promoting healthy, respectful, non-violent relationships.

And the poll, finds men are taking action. Two in three fathers have talked to their sons about the importance of healthy, violence-free relationships, and 63 percent have talked to their daughters. Fifty-five percent of men surveyed say they have talked to boys who are not their sons.

Each of us must do all that we can to stop domestic violence and work together to do so.

Return to Newsletter Index