On April 2nd, Men Can Stop Rape (MCSR) published an article celebrating their recent partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to prevent sexual assault. Men Can Stop Rape (MCSR), is an international organization that mobilizes men to prevent violence against women and establish cultures of non-violence. In support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office and MCSR will launch a social marketing campaign to be distributed to all military personnel. In March 2009, BBC News published an article explaining that reports of sexual assault by US military personnel against both fellow troops and civilians rose by 8%. The article suggests that this increase may be due to the willingness of victims to step forward in response to the increased support and services provided for victims of sexual assault.
Men Can Stop Rape, Inc.’s president, Stephen Glaude, was surprised by the military’s willingness to cooperate with the new campaign, saying “Despite the discouraging pictures the media paints about sexual assault in the military, we were heartened to find an infrastructure of personnel in each of the branches and the Department of Defense that deeply cares about this issue.”
The campaign, titled “ Our Strength Is for Defending…Preventing Sexual Assault is Part of Our Duty”, will provide educational materials emphasizing men’s role in preventing sexual assault and the importance of supporting the survivors of such violence.
To read the full article click here.
Compiled from: Department of Defense Partners with Men Can Stop Rape on Sexual Assault Prevention Campaign, Men Can Stop Rape, Inc., 2 April 2009; US Military Sex Attacks Reports Up, BBC News, 18 March 2009.