| COMMUNITY | GAMES | SEARCH | MISCELLANEOUS | OTHER GAME SITES |
Currently hosting 385 great games!
In 1999, I wrote to Jack Gagliardi, the National Outreach Coordinator of the White Ribbon Campaign, and asked him what I could do to help end violence against women. He sent me a response that is still as relevant today as it was at the time, and I'm proud to add it to the site.
Learn about violence by asking a woman who trusts you how violence has affected her life. Then, if she feels comfortable to talk, sit back and listen. Your role isn't to challenge her on the details, nor debate whether something really should have bothered her or not. It is to listen. Simply trust that if she tells you something hurt her, then it did hurt her.
And turn to your local women's organizations. They have a wealth of accumulated experience and knowledge. Talk to them. Read their publications. Contribute financially. Learn from them.
Some forms of violence have a greater physical or emotional impact than others. But all forms of violence contribute to the very real fear and suffering that women in our society endure. The basic rights that most men enjoy -- safety in their homes, ability to go out at night, a job free of harassment - are a source of fear for women in much of the world.
The fear is greatest in women's own homes. A common myth is that most violence is committed by strangers. In fact, women are most at risk from men they know--husbands, boyfriends, fathers, relatives, employers, and caregivers.
Most men love and care about women. And yet frightening numbers commit acts of violence against the women they say they love. It occurs throughout the world, among the rich, poor, and middle class, and among those of every nationality, religion, and race.
Most individual acts of men's violence are a pathetic attempt to assert control over women, children, or other men. Paradoxically, most violent acts by men are a sign of weakness, insecurity, and lack of self-esteem combined with a capacity for physical or verbal domination and feeling that they should be superior and in control.
Women are not immune from committing acts of violence. Women's groups have spoken out against the problem of violence against children, which is committed by both women and men, although most sexual abuse of children is by men. Women too can be violent against men or other women, but it is far less common than violence by men.
In many violent incidents, men have been drinking alcohol. This might be because alcohol unleashes feelings, fears, rage, and insecurities that some men, cut off from their feelings, cannot handle.
But alcohol doesn't cause violence. Genes don't cause violence. Ultimately, it is the attempt by some men to dominate women, adults' attempts to dominate children, and some men's attempts to dominate other men or groups of men. Violence is a way of asserting power, privilege, and control.
Each year men around the world are wearing a white ribbon from November 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, for one or two weeks. (In Canada, we wear the ribbon until December 6, the day of the 1989 massacre of 14 women in Montreal.)
Wearing a white ribbon is your personal pledge never to commit violence against women. It is a personal pledge not to condone acts of violence, not to make excuses for perpetrators of violence, and not to think that any woman "asks for it."
It is a pledge not to remain silent. It is a pledge to challenge the men around us to act to end violence. Wearing a ribbon provokes discussion, debate, and soul-searching among the men around us. The ribbon is a catalyst for discussion. It is a catalyst for change.
One of the most difficult things for men is to learn to challenge other men - to challenge sexist language - to challenge men who talk lightly of violence against women. And to challenge men who engage in violence.
Harassment is ultimately about inequalities of power. The same action done by a woman might not bother a man because, in general, our society has not given women power over men. Men can join women in opposing sexual harassment by supporting efforts in our workplaces and schools to create a healthy and productive environment.
These and other women's organizations deserve men's support and our financial backing. That's why we encourage local White Ribbon Campaigns to raise money for local women's programs.
If this happened long ago, admit what you did was wrong and make amends if possible. But if such behaviour has any chance of continuing, then you urgently need to get help getting to the root of your problem. Don't wait until it happens again. Please act today.
Many men will never be physically or sexually violent. But let's examine ways we might try to control women. Do we dominate conversations? Do we put them down? Do we limit their activities?
Whether or not you've ever been violent, all men must take responsibility for ending all forms of violence.
Legal changes to combat men's violence against women (such as laws against rape and battering) are very important. The police and courts must diligently enforce such laws.
But this is not enough. Let's work together to change our attitudes and behaviour. Let's challenge the institutions which perpetuate inequality between women and men.
Let's help men be better men by getting rid of our suits of armour, that is, attitudes which equate masculinity with the power to control. Let's make positive changes in our relationships with women, children, and other men. Let's involve men as caregivers and nurturers of the young.
Changes in attitude, behaviour, and institutions take time. And so we must look at how we raise future generations. We must teach our children, by example, that all forms of violence are unacceptable, and that for boys to become men, they do not need to control or dominate women, men, or children.
The WRC is a grass-roots effort, relying mainly on volunteers. Because the purpose of the campaign is for men to take responsibility for working to end men's violence against women, it is an organization of men. But we greatly appreciate the help and support of women.
Aside from organizing the annual wearing of white ribbons (starting November 25 for one or two weeks), local supporters can do other things throughout the year. They can give talks in schools, communities, and workplaces; raise money for women's groups; organize special events to support positive roles for men; talk to young people about building healthy relationships; start a local White Ribbon Campaign; and financially support the work of the WRC.
We encourage you to contact us today to receive information on starting up a White Ribbon effort in your community, school, workplace, or place of worship. Please don't hesitate. Contact us today.
The White Ribbon Campaign
1600-365 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 3L4
TEL: (416) 920-6684 FAX: (416) 920-1678
whiterib@idirect.com www.whiteribbon.ca
Subscribe