Stand up!

Be a Man Against Domestic Violence!

Committee  l  Signs of an Abusive Relationship l  What Can I do?  l  Sign a Pledge

Men Against Domestic Violence Committee

 

In response to the increasing number of lives lost because of domestic violence in the past year, the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg has renewed its commitment to doing everything possible to educate the community and work to stop this violence. 

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg has spearheaded the formation of a committee of community members to develop programs to get more men interested – and participating - in efforts to stop domestic violence in our community.  We feel it is vital that men must take a stand if the campaign against this epidemic is going to succeed.

 

The Men Against Domestic Violence Committee would like to give you an opportunity to be a part of our first initiative – The Men Against Domestic Violence Commitment Forum. Our goal is to get 1,000 men to make a commitment and sign a pledge to work to end domestic violence.

In addition to this grassroots initiative, the YWCA has several events planned during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness month, to raise awareness in our community about the impact of domestic violence. The enclosed flyer lists these events. 

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg is seeking support to help us to raise awareness.  Support could either be monetary sponsorship of the Men Against Domestic Violence initiative or any Domestic Violence Awareness Month event; distributing brochures to encourage men to sign the pledge to end domestic violence; or participation in an event, such as the March with a Mission on October 6^th or the Wheels to Heal Motorcycle Run on October 8^th. Your support will show the community your commitment to the elimination of domestic violence.

Signs of an Abusive Relationship

• Physical: Are there signs of injury from hitting, punching, strangulation, kicking?  Are there signs of damage to the home from objects thrown or destroyed “in anger”?

 

• Emotional/Psychological: Do you hear yelling? Are insults, threats, or degrading comments regularly used by one partner to the other?

 

• Power and Control: Is this a relationship where one partner has all the power and control? Is one partner kept from seeing friends or family? Is one partner extremely jealous about anything the other does or who they know? Is one partner overly possessive of the other? Does one partner control all aspects of family finance? Does one partner control what the other wears – how they act – where they can go – whether they can work?

 

What can I do?

(Taken from 10 Things Men Can Do to Prevent Gender Violence, ©1999, Jackson Katz www.jacksonkatz.com)

• If you suspect someone you know is being abused, gently ask if you can help.

• If someone you know is abusing their partner – don’t look the other way. If you feel comfortable, try to talk to them. Urge them to seek help. If you don’t know what to do consult a friend, parent, mentor, counselor. Don’t remain silent.

• If you are abusive, or have been in the past, seek professional help now.

• Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes. View men not only as offenders but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers.
• Be an ally to those who are working to end all forms of gender violence. Support their work. Help to raise money. Attend rallies.

• Don’t fund sexism. Refuse to purchase any magazine, rent any video, buy any music that portrays girls or women in a sexually degrading or abusive manner. Protest sexism in the media.

• Mentor and teach young boys about how to be men in ways that don’t involve degrading or abusive behavior. Volunteer to work with gender violence prevention programs. Lead by example.

Print out a pledge and sign it today!