| Self-Protection/Abuse Prevention 10 Things People Can Do To Prevent Violence 1. Approach violence as an issue involving people of all ages and socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. View violent people not only as perpetrators or possible offenders, but also, as wounded bystanders who can confront abusive peers. 2. If a brother, sister, friend, classmate, or teammate is abusing his/her partner -- or is disrespectful or abusive to people in general -- don't look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, talk to him/her about it. Urge him/her to seek help. Or if you don't know what to do, consult a friend, a parent, a professor or a counselor. THE WORST THING TO DO IS TO REMAIN SILENT. 3. Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes. Avoid being defensive when something you do or say ends up hurting someone else. Work to understand how your own attitudes and actions might inadvertently perpetuate sexism and violence, and work toward changing them. 4. If you suspect someone close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help. 5. If you are emotionally, psychologically, physically, or sexually abusive to anyone, or have been in the past, seek professional help NOW. Aftereffects of abuse does not heal itself. It will eventually manifest on a physcial level in the form of physical illness. All physical illness has a connection to emotional trauma. 6. Be an ally to people who are working to end all forms of gender violence. Support the work of centers which aid victims of violence. Attend "Take Back the Night" rallies and other public events. Raise money for community-based rape crisis centers and battered women's shelters. IF you belong to a team, fraternity, sorority or another student group, organize a fundraiser. 7. Recognize and speak out against homophobia and gay-bashing. Discrimination and violence against lesbians and gays are wrong in and of themselves. This abuse also has direct links to sexism (e.g., the sexual orientation of men or women who speak out again sexism is often questioned, a conscious or unconscious strategy intended to silence them. This is a key reason few men or women do so). 8. Attend programs, take courses, watch films, and read articles and books about multicultural masculinities, gender inequality, and the root causes of violence. Educate yourself and others about how larger social forces affect the conflicts between the individual men and women. 9. Don't fund sexism. Refuse to purchase any magazine, rent any video, subscribe to any Web site, or buy any music that portrays peoole in a sexually degrading or abusive manner. Protest sexism in the media. 10. Mentor and teach young boys/girls about how to live life in
ways that avoids degrading or abusing others. Volunteer to work
with violence prevention programs, including anti-sexism programs.
Lead by example. |
