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

[LB Klein <>]

I'm grateful for everyone's thoughtful comments on this and share the concerns expressed by my colleagues. A Call to Men did issue an apology statement that I have copied and pasted below in case you're interested in reading it:

Our Deepest Apology:

We have been in deep reflection since our recent interview with ESPN about Ray Rice and his potential return to the NFL.

After hearing from so many of you who lead the work of the domestic and sexual violence movement and have supported A CALL TO MEN, as well as our own soul searching, we realize we were wrong to independently endorse Rice's second chance at his football career. We took action without consulting the community that we are so privileged to work for and with, and without thoughtfully considering the impact of our endorsement.

We also irresponsibly characterized Rice's actions as a "mistake." We have worked tirelessly alongside you to educate the public that domestic violence is not a mistake. Men's violence against women is a choice rooted in patriarchy and sexism, used to gain power and control over another person.

We were blinded by the possibility of making a difference in a young Black man's life who could potentially teach other young men about the impact and consequences of their choices. After intimate conversations with the Rice family, we were also overwhelmed with hope for them. We acted without upholding our own principle of having systems of accountability to ALL women.

As men who strive to be supportive allies to women, we are aware that good intentions are not enough, and we recognize and accept that male entitlement played a role in our decision to not consult those most impacted by our stance - women and more specifically, women of color.

We apologize to survivors, our partners, our board, our staff and ALL women. We take full responsibility for our statements and actions. We recommit to be more vigilant about including survivors and those most marginalized in our ongoing work as we strive to create a world where ALL men and boys are loving and respectful, and ALL women and girls are valued and safe.

To all who have been courageous and thoughtful in holding us accountable, we thank you.

Ted Bunch and Tony Porter
Founders of A CALL TO MEN

LB Klein, MSW | Educator & Consultant based in Atlanta, GA

Graduate Student, Program on Gender-Based Violence, University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs

Lead Trainer, Prevention Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire

314.578.8584 | | @LB_Klein | Linkedin

Prevention Innovations Research Center
University of New Hampshire
Website: Prevention Innovations Research Center
Twitter: @WePreventNow
Facebook: Prevention Innovations UNH

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From: Shaffer, Jyl (shaffej2) <>
Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2015 12:39 PM
Cc:
Subject: RE: Ray Rice deserves second chance, says anti-violence group

 

Having worked with student athletes for many years I am always concerned when the framework for anti-violence conversations are centered on how the athlete would feel if his [insert female relative here] were treated a certain way (and note that we don’t use this framework for female athletes). It reinforces that only women can be victimized by this behavior and encourages categorizing women into women who deserve respect (family) vs. women who don’t (“groupies”, sex workers, etc.).

 

I’m very grateful that my athletic department staff at UC are on board with talking about respect and dignity broadly rather than reinforcing these categories, but I can tell you we have a long way to go to undo that kind of training for our student athletes. It’s a challenge to find speakers who are relevant to athletes but who don’t use this method.

 

I hope that these very public incidents help groups like A Call to Men rethink maintaining the “respectable woman” format for violence prevention education.

 

Jyl Shaffer

Title IX Coordinator

University of Cincinnati

Office: (513) 556-3349

Edwards I Suite 3115

45 Corry Blvd

Cincinnati OH 45221

www.uc.edu/titleix

Pronouns: she, her, hers

 

 

From: Mantak, Frances [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2015 12:31 PM
To: Hotvedt, Carmen
Cc:
Subject: Re: Ray Rice deserves second chance, says anti-violence group

 

Tony Porter from A Call To Men has defended Darren Sharper, who is accused of at least 9 DFSAs, as well:

 

Ex-N.F.L.Star Who Spoke Out for Women Is Accused of Being a Rapist

 

On Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 4:34 PM, Hotvedt, Carmen <> wrote:

How are folks responding to this? 

 

The co-founders of A Call To Men, a national organization that encourages men to end violence against women, are advocating that former Ravens running back Ray Rice be given a second chance in the NFL.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13324986/ex-baltimore-raven-ray-rice-deserves-2nd-chance-says-anti-violence-group

 

 

Carmen Hotvedt
Assistant Director for Violence Prevention (EVOC)
University Health Services
UW-Madison

End Violence On Campus
EVOC Change.  EVOC Equality.  EVOC Respect.

    

 

 

 

 

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Brown University Health Services

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