Proclamation event supports domestic violence prevention

On March 2, 2010, about 350 people attended the 3rd annual White Ribbon Day Proclamation Event in Massachusetts. The program was held in Gardner Auditorium at the State House in Boston. Nine speakers including elected officials, a local sportscaster, social workers, and advocates against domestic violence led the program with the theme “Men for Change.” As participants entered into the auditorium they were given White Ribbon Day pledge cards and white ribbon lapel pins. The White Ribbon Day campaign is an awareness program to encourage men of all ages to speak out and to not tolerate or perpetuate domestic violence against women. The White Ribbon Pledge asks that men make both a private and public commitment to advocate for healthy, respectful, and safe relationships and communities.

The idea for the White Ribbon Campaign began in 1991 as a way to pay tribute to the 14 women students who were murdered by a lone gunman on December 6, 1989 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 13 other students were wounded in the brutal massacre. In the first year of the campaign, 100,000 men in Canada wore white ribbons in remembrance of the victims. The campaign has grown and more than 60 countries worldwide participate in the effort, making it the world’s largest collaborative initiative of men working to end domestic violence against women.

The 90 minute program began with an introduction from Mary R. Lauby who is the executive director of Jane Doe, Inc. Lauby said that statistics indicate that one in five female college students in Massachusetts are sexually assaulted. Lauby also stated to the audience that in February 2010, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick filed new legislation to strengthen laws against perpetrators of domestic assault. “Violence against anyone is wrong,” Lauby said.

Middlesex County District Attorney and White Ribbon Day Co-Chair Gerry Leone spoke passionately about the necessity for the legal system to address issues pertaining to domestic violence. As a criminal prosecutor he noted that he has seen unfortunate circumstances of women who have been victims of domestic violence. Leone challenged the men in the audience to be responsible in their relationships with the women in their lives and to hold their male friends accountable. “This is an extreme problem,” Leone said in regards to domestic violence. Leone announced several initiatives that his office has created in order to change the culture and attitude of domestic violence in Massachusetts communities. One program is the “Cut-It-Out” initiative which provides training to cosmetology students at vocational high schools to enable students to recognize patterns of abuse. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office also sponsored a Teen Dating Abuse Public Service Announcement Contest where over 200 high school students participated in creating PSAs.

The DA informed the audience about “barriers against disclosure,” which are circumstances which do not allow a woman to tell loved ones, health care professionals, or law enforcement authorities about domestic abuse. Leone said that as a society we have to redefine the concept of masculinity. “This is important stuff people,” he said.

At the program there was information about the International Violence Against Women Act. The act was introduced to the U.S. Congress last year but it has not been passed. Supporters of domestic violence prevention are being urged to advocate for the enactment of this important piece of legislation. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime.

During the program all of the men in the auditorium were asked to stand and recite the Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Pledge: “From this day forward, I promise to be part of the solution in ending violence against women.”

“It was a very informative campaign and the speakers at the event had a lot of good insights into the matter of ending violence against women. Being a woman myself, it is nice to know that there are people out there who care about protecting women’s rights,” said audience member Serena Springstead.

Local WBZ News sportscaster Steve Burton delivered a touching testimony about how his immediate family has been affected by domestic violence. Burton, a WRD Co-Chair, told the audience about how his sister’s ex-husband pointed a gun to her head and threatened to kill her. “We’re here to change things,” Burton said. Burton also candidly asked the audience of mostly men: “How do you treat women?”

The most heart-felt speech came from Gunner Scott who is the Director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. Scott talked about his own experiences as a transgender man. He mentioned that men should be encouraged to use “…compassion to show strength,” in terms of their relationships with women and as role models in the community. Scott explained that 143 transgender people were killed last year in the United States, the majority were women of color.

Following Scott’s speech, the Close to Home Youth Team presented a video based on teenage dating and societal norms portrayed in the media.

At the conclusion of the event participants were invited to Doric Hall to see Men Step Up: A Celebration of Change – a poster collection of domestic violence prevention materials sponsored by Jane Doe, Inc.

The program at the State House reiterated that violence against women is a human rights violation that affects millions of people worldwide. Speakers highlighted the need to alter long-standing cultural and attitudinal beliefs that perpetuate domestic violence – which is a public health and public safety issue. Now is the time to take a stand against acts of violence towards women, children, and men. For more information about domestic violence prevention in Massachusetts visit the Jane Doe Inc. website at www.janedoe.org.