Family Services Incorporated

History of Men Against Sexual Violence

The Men Against Sexual Violence (MASV) initiative that began in July of 2001 with the ambitious goal to gather pledge support from one million of Pennsylvania's male residents has quickly grown in only eight years to take on a life of its own. Efforts to include men in Pennsylvania's anti-sexual violence movement have ranged from awareness campaigns in communities around the state, to rallies and pledge signing events at many of our commonwealth's colleges and universities. Today, MASV is growing to include men from all over the state. To date, they have recruited more than 7000 responsible men to challenge sexism and sexual violence in Pennsylvania. It seems that now is the time, with sexual violence and abuse cases in the news literally every day, to take advantage of the growing momentum that MASV has begun to experience in order to address sexual violence in terms of prevention. Men, that means YOU. We as males have the power to address this important problem. It is our responsibility to challenge ourselves as well as those around us to take steps to end sexual violence.

TAKE A STAND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

STATISTICS

I understand...

That what I do and say can either encourage or discourage stereotypes that can lead to sexual violence.
That sexual violence can happen to anyone.
That men and women are victims of sexual violence.
That sexual violence can be prevented.
That the overwhelming number of sexual offenders are men.
That real men don't use their power to rape.
That men must play a critical role in breaking the cycle of sexual violence.

So, I promise...

To take a stand and never commit, condone, accept, or stay silent about sexual violence.
To challenge other men to recognize that they can be powerful without making others powerless.
To encourage all men to work together with women,using their collective voices and resources to END sexual violence - not only in Pennsylvania but across the nation.

To pledge your support for Men Against Sexual Violence, please visit www.menagainstsexualviolence.org to sign the online pledge.

Children as Victims:

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be victims of sexual assault before the age of 18;
61% of sexual assaults occur before the victim reaches 18;
Over 85% of all sexual assault involves someone the child knows.

Teens as Victims:

1 in 5 teens who regularly socialize on the Internet have encountered a stranger who requested cybersex;
83% of high school girls have been pinched, sexually touched or grabbed against their will by their peers;
2/3 of births to teenage girls are fathered by adult men age 20 and older.

Other Disturbing Facts:

2/3 of college men report that they would consider raping a woman if they think they could get away with it;
Only 2% of all rapists are convicted and imprisoned.