StandUp - Men Moving from Standing By to Standing Up

Today we heard from Art Moore a volunteer for the recently launched initiative StandUp by the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention.

StandUp is a group of men and women working together to end men's violence against women. StandUp was formed out of concern that men need a greater understanding of how everyday behaviors can contribute to violence against women and that there are many well-meaning men who want to end men's violence against women.

Art showed a short video wherein women described in their own words precautions that they toake because of their fear of becoming harmed by men – mostly by avoiding situations that have a known element of physical danger.

Art cited male behavior that encourages those who would do physical harm to women – spreading humor that degrades women, standing by when another is being disrespectful to women, and overlooking sexual harassment.

Art quoted the following statistics – in 2005 there were 190,000 rapes and sexual assaults and in 2007 there were 248,000 – and; thus, the problem is getting worse.

Art stated that it is up to good men to eliminate the problem by standing up to other men and defend women from verbal and physical abuse.

For more information call 312-986-9200 or visit StandUp - Men Moving from Standing By to Standing Up.