These Hands Don’t Hurt Anti-Violence Event Set at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity will sponsor These Hands Don’t Hurt, an opportunity for men on campus to affirm that they will not use their hands to commit violence.

These Hands Don’t Hurt, co-sponsored by Men Against Violence and the UA Women’s Resource Center, will be displayed to the public on the UA Quad and at the AKL house at 450 Smith-Woods Circle April 10-14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

“We believe that violence against women should never be accepted in today’s society,” said Tyler Hendon, UA freshman and AKL public relations chair. “We are very excited to be able to help with an event like this and make a positive impact on campus.”

Men who pass by the display will be encouraged to add their handprints to a wall, with each hand representing a pledge never to hurt women. A donation of $3 from each participant will be suggested, with all proceeds from the event benefiting the WRC’s free, confidential counseling and victim advocacy services.

For the first time, the annual event will also include an online component. Participants with an account on Facebook.com will be encouraged to use an image of a hand as their profile picture during the week of the event to help spread the word among the online community.

“While many men have no inclination to commit acts of violence towards women, the difficult thing to do in our culture is to come forward and tell other men that this violence is wrong,” said Matthew Rombach, UA men’s violence prevention coordinator. “It’s great to see the guys in AKL and MAV take a stand, and I hope that more will follow their lead.”

For more information or to get involved, contact the UA Women’s Resource Center at http://wrc.ua.edu or 205/348-5040.