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) and large ways (not speaking out against the beating and raping of women and girls). Here are some small and large 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

•   Let boys cry

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

•   Don’t blame victims

•  Understand that putting boys and men down by calling them "ladies" and "girls" hurts everyone

•   Learn how racism, sexism and homophobia are connected

•   Learn about power and control tactics

•   Volunteer at HAVEN

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

•   Contact your local movie theatre and ask them to display HAVEN's Crisis & Support Line (1- 877-922-1274) on the screen during previews

•  Avoid engaging in, supporting or encouraging sexual harassment

• Do a Google search for "rape" and see that most of the results are for pornography, not prevention.

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

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

•  Speak out against racist, sexist or homophobic jokes

•   Reconsider spanking or hitting your children

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

•   Applaud others who speak out against violence and oppression

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

•   Hold your friends accountable when they disrespect women and girls

•   Engage others in discussions about violence against women

•   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 every time, don’t assume you know what your partner wants

•   Get involved with HAVEN and be an example of kindness and compassion to other men

If your computer has parental controls, if you think someone has access to your password or has the ability to monitor your computer use --find a safe computer or contact the crisis and support line to maintain confidentiality.

HAVEN must report or seek outside assistance with email/phone calls regarding suspected child abuse, threats of homicide or suicide.