SVPN...FW: MNMAN - The MENding Project

FORWARDING AS AN FYI

From:     Office of Minority and Multicultural Health

Greetings from the Minnesota Men's Action Network

 

To provide real and lasting support, men in the community are donating time and money to help alleviate the suffering that remains after the violence has occurred. This suffering is often associated with extended health problems, loss of income or access to resources, loss of transportation through vandalism, loss of housing, broken windows and furniture, smashed walls, broken teeth, broken hearts and torn families. The needs of women and children healing from sexual and/or domestic violence are both immediate and long term. Men can help!

We have developed a method of coordinating broad, community-based pledges for pro bono goods and services from traditionally male-run or male-oriented businesses that can help battered women and children and sexual assault survivors mend the harm that men have done.

The MENding Project acknowledges men’s unique opportunity to end men’s violence against women and our collective responsibility to do so.

The MENding Project can be found at www.TheMENdingProject.org and has the necessary pledge forms, window and counter top MENding display cards, brochure, a sample list of 60 pro-bono businesses to approach, a pledge sheet to track and tally donations, model thank you letters, fact sheets, confidentiality statements, and cover sheets explaining the project. 

The MENding Project was developed by the Minnesota Men's Action Network: Alliance to Prevent Sexual and Domestic Violence  to provide a vehicle with which men can provide practical and immediate support to victims of sexual and domestic violence while shifting the social norm of male complacency in the face of these assaults.

An increasing number of advocacy programs and other community groups throughout the country have been engaging men in efforts to end violence against women and children. This has often manifested in men’s participation in “Take Back the Night” or “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” marches, spring and fall luncheons, fundraisers, and other community events. We think it is time to “raise the bar” on male engagement and hope this effort will provide programs and communities with a simple yet meaningful action men can do individually and collectively to assist women and children harmed by sexual and domestic violence throughout the year. At the same time, this project positively challenges the male cultural norm of silence in the face of this abuse. This is one answer to the question an increasing number of men are asking, “What can I do to help?”

We think this is an excellent project local men could develop and promote during April - Sexual Assault Awareness Month and October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Please go to www.TheMENdingProject.org today to see how you can develop The MENding Project in your community.

Because if sexual and domestic violence is going to stop…men are going to have to stop it.

 Thank you!

Chuck Derry
Gender Violence Institute
MN Men's Action Network
15510 Huber Avenue NW
Clearwater, MN 55320
gvi@frontiernet.net
320-558-4510 - Office
320-250-8791 - cell

Minnesota Men's Action Network

205 W 2nd St # 15
Duluth, MN 55806

 

Amy Kenzie

Program Coordinator, Sexual Violence Prevention Program
Injury and Violence Prevention Unit
Minnesota Department of Health
PO Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
Phone: 651-201-5410, FAX: 651/201-5800
e-mail: amy.kenzie@state.mn.us
www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/svp

Sexual Violence Prevention Network: www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/svp/implement/network/index.cfm