What Men Can Do | Campus Safety | Student Life

Stopping Rape: What Men Can Do

Although statistics show that most men never rape, the overwhelming majority of rapists (and one in 10 victims) are male. K-State asks each man to promise to be a different kind of man—one who values equality and whose strength is not used for hurting.

10 things you can do

1. Be aware of language

We live in a society in which words often cut down or put down women. Avoid words like bitch, whore, freak, or dog. These words send a message that females are less than human. Seeing women in such a light makes it easier to treat them without respect or to ignore their well-being.

2. Communicate

Sexual violence goes hand in hand with poor sexual communication. Our own discomfort in speaking about sexual issues dramatically raises the risk of rape. By learning effective means of sexual communication—stating your desires clearly and listening to your partner—men make sex safer for themselves and others.

3. Speak up

You may never see a rape in progress, but you will hear jokes and language that is inappropriate and degrades women. When your best friend tells a joke about rape, say it’s not funny. Support women who bring charges against violent men. Do anything but remain silent.

4. Support survivors of rape

Rape will not be taken seriously until everyone understands how common it is. In the U.S. alone, hundreds of thousands of women are raped each year. By learning to sensitively support the survivors in their lives, men can help both women and men feel more comfortable about coming forward and talking about what has happened to them.

5. Contribute your time and money

Join or donate to an organization working to prevent violence against women. On campus you can join Wildcats Against Rape or the Campaign for Nonviolence. Rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and similar groups depend on your donations for support.

Get more info about contributing time or money

6. Talk with women

If you’re willing to listen, there’s a lot to learn about how the risk of being raped affects women’s daily lives. Talk to them about it.

7. Talk with men

Talk about what it’s like to be viewed as a potential rapist. Talk about the fact that 15 to 20 percent of all males will be sexually abused in their lifetime. Talk about whether you and your friends know any rape survivors. But start talking.

8. Organize

Join WAR, Wildcats Against Rape. Men’s anti-rape groups are powerful, and they’re gaining popularity on college campuses. If you have the time and the drive, you can make a powerful difference.

Join Wildcats Against Rape

9. Work against all oppression

Rape feeds off of all forms of prejudice, including racism, homophobia, and religious discrimination. By speaking out against behaviors that promote one group as being superior to another, you support everyone’s equality.