Violence against women is wrong.

Fraternities sometimes catch a bad rap when it comes to violence against women (an array of intimate partner violence that consists of sexual assault to the demeaning of women). But Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. will not stand around, and condone, such behavior.

This article needs to be written because (amongst the various reasons) the area needs more attention from men; violence against women is not solely a women’s issue.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.” As one can see, modern definitions of domestic violence are much more than the stereotypical “man beating his wife” scenario. Awareness of such an intricate problem may help men realize that they in fact play a role in ending violence against women.

WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE
Truth be told, men have a significant responsibility in ending violence against women. While it is clear that a good number of men do not abuse women, statistics reveal that men are overwhelmingly responsible for an inordinate amount of violence against women. Some numbers say that at least one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime; this ratio is greater for college women, and the statistic is severely underreported. Abuse effects women of all socioeconomic statuses, races, and backgrounds. We may never know all who have been victimized or how this problem affects someone we care about.

Hence, if a man is abusing a woman: he must stop and never do it again. If a man is not abusing a woman: he also must work to stop the issue. For if you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem.

All men have a stake in ending violence against women. This is true because nearly all men hold some sort of close relationship with at least one woman, may it be a sister, mother, or partner. It may be an assumption, but these men (in their right mind) would probably dislike if their abuela, tia, or daughter were victims of any sort of violence. And given the statistics- it is likely that they already have been, or will be, victimized.

Further data shows that violence against minors, cybercrimes, and stalking is on the rise. And although the problem is literally everywhere, the issue never really gets the attention it deserves.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
History illustrates that violence against women has proliferated for years.  The general “rule of thumb,” honor crimes, and trafficking are all glimpses of the injustices that continue to destroy the progress and autonomy of women.  In some areas of the world today, men are welcomed to rape and beat their wives. Additionally, law enforcement officers have mishandled and dreaded the ominous ‘domestic’ call. The criminal justice system doesn’t seem to understand the issue nor provide the proper treatment/attention for the problem either.

About a year ago, Chris Brown clobbered Rihanna (Google the pictures). Last month, Superbowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a collegiate woman in the bathroom of a nightclub. Two weeks ago, a bright young student athlete was murdered in cold blood by her boyfriend at the University of Virginia.  Last week, NFL legend Lawrence Taylor was charged with rape of a 16-year old girl. Two nights ago, I watched “To Catch a Predator” on MSNBC (most people think this show is funny). And today, the Pope [Benedict XVI] addressed the child abuse sex scandal within the Roman Catholic Church.

These high profile stories dominate news headlines and temporarily thrust violence against women back into the spotlight, until the next incident occurs (It’s hard to say what mainstream media’s purpose is with these stories- to bring awareness on the issue, garner ratings, or induce fear?). And although these actions are despicable in nature, they overshadow the everyday women who are abused at an alarming frequency. Yet still, violence against women is not considered to be an urgent problem in many communities. With such a widespread issue affecting as many people as it does, wouldn’t it make sense that there would be sweeping actions to educate and prevent violence against women? Instead, we hope for the best and reactively wait for the next incident to happen. I disagree with this logic. Men must proactively become catalysts of change, standing at the forefront of the fight to end violence against women.

TAKING A STAND
It is safe to say that a good number of women may never be victimized; nonetheless we may never know how many women live in fear of becoming a victim (the fear-victimization paradox). This is why men live with privilege. Most men are not afraid to walk alone at night, with their keys in between their knuckles or mace in their hands. I guess the media has done its part in putting women “in their place.”

Violence against women affects everyone. But confronting such an issue may seem difficult. Some people believe that what happens between intimate partners should strictly stay between the two individuals. We have been socialized to “mind our own business” when it comes to what happens between couples or what happens inside others homes. The “Bystander Effect” has been a topic of study for quite some time. But if it were your daughter, sister, or mother it wouldn’t be a question. No person deserves to be a victim of abuse based on any factor, especially because of their gender. Women do not ask for abuse nor is it their fault that abuse happens. Furthermore, it should not take horror stories and personal accounts from sobbing victims to evoke action.

Thus, we are taking a stand. Please allow me to present Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc.’s unofficial statement on violence against women:

“Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. does not condone any type of violence against women. Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. will do its best to create a more welcoming society and promote equality for all people. Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. will look to educate our respective communities, raise awareness on a worldwide epidemic, and support any movement that aims to eliminate violence against women.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:

• Never engage in any type of violence against women
• Intervene and reach out to abusive men
• Acknowledge those affected by intimate partner violence as STRONG SURVIVORS, not battered victims
• Confront and address any instance of violence against women you may come across- Silence implies consent
• Cease perverse and hurtful language/jokes (“wife-beater,” “bitch,” “hoe,” etc.)
• Speak out against biased statements and actions that relate to the oppression of women
• Be a positive role model
• Spend time talking to our children and loved ones about the negative effects of violence against women
  • Raise our sons to understand violence against women is wrong
  • Raise our daughters to become competent, high-achieving members of society
• Realize that men live with privilege
• Be aware of the injustices and inequalities that happen on a daily basis
• Reject excuses (violence occurred due to stress, alcohol, mental illness, etc.) and rationalizations (“she had it coming” etc.) for violence against women- No excuses, just results!
• Lend a helpful hand to a friend in need
• Get involved with social movements, volunteer, and become an activist in your community
• Aim to challenge and change institutional policies
• Oppose sexism
• Never look away
• Promote equality in everything you do

Lastly, if you agree with anything that was stated here: leave a comment, re-post this article, or talk to a friend about the issue. People have this misperception that only those affected by such matters are the ones that should voice these concerns. Violence against women is a human rights issue. And the men of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. will stand united, in solidarity with all of those affected by violence against women, to eradicate the world from these types of inequalities and injustices around the world. Because if we don’t… who will?

http://www.saynotoviolence.org/

http://www.evawintl.org/

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/

http://www.now.org/issues/violence/

http://www.endvawnow.org/

http://www.theirc.org/ending-violence-against-women

http://www.menstoppingviolence.org/index.php

Picture found via the web.

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