Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Schipper, Deborah E." <>]

Example:
Michael Scarce's idea about getting urinal splash guards printed with "you 
hold the power to stop rape in your hands" and putting them all over campus.

I wanted to comment on the "informal education" contained in the "you hold
the power to stop rape in your hands" urinal screens.  I, too, was at first
amused and distracted by this message and it's method of conveyance.
However, after deeper analysis, I have several serious objections to its
use:
1.  I strongly believe that men do not need to hold their penises and read
that they "hold the power."  I believe that many men will not internalize
the notion of stopping rape, but will only identify with the feeling of
power, already so strongly associated with sexual arousal and penile
engorgement. 
2.  I believe it is inherently disrespectful of the issue to set up a
situation in which men are urinating on top of a message intended to be
anti-rape.
3.  As a women's self-defense instructor, I resent the implication that only
men have the power to stop rape.  I understand and disagree with the current
notion that only men can "prevent" while women can only "reduce risk."  I
believe, and my students grow to believe, that if a man attempts rape, we
CAN prevent him from accomplishing rape.
 
Deborah Schipper, Coordinator
Rape Education and Prevention Program
The Multicultural Center
The Ohio State University
464 Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio  43210
614-292-0479
REPP Homepage: http://multiculturalcenter.osu.edu/repp/index.htm