UA Men Take a Stand Against Violence With White Ribbon Pledge

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Students, faculty and staff at The University of Alabama will take part in an international effort to take a stand opposing violence against women by joining the White Ribbon Campaign Jan. 22-26.

The White Ribbon Campaign began in Canada in 1991 to complement the work done by women to raise awareness about ending violence. Today it has become the largest worldwide effort of men working to end men’s violence against women.

UA Men Against Violence, a program sponsored by the UA Women’s Resource Center, will carry out the campaign. During that week, MAV will ask all men on campus to join the campaign and wear a white ribbon to represent a vow never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

“I am proud to lead a group like this on our campus. I have met and spoken with students, faculty and staff who have been so supportive,” said Damien Readus, UA men’s violence prevention coordinator. “I hope this campaign will be a catalyst for men on campus to take a step forward in getting more involved with addressing violence against women.”

In addition to wearing ribbons, faculty, staff and fraternity participants will also display large ribbons on their office doors and/or fraternity houses.

“Wearing a ribbon is something each of us can do to show our concern about the violence,” said Justin Hicks, MAV member and a UA senior studying anthropology.

Any man who would like to participate can pick up a ribbon from the MAV information table at the Ferguson Center during Get On Board Day Wednesday, Jan. 24 and during the week of the campaign.

“It is important that each of us become aware of this important issue. Every one of us has some level of responsibility to invest in a culture that promotes respect and equality for both genders,” said Tony Humphries, MAV member and staff member at WVUA on campus. “I want to let our communities know that men care about this issue and are interested in working alongside women as allies to end violence against women.”

For more information, or to get involved with the campaign or get a ribbon, contact the WRC at 205/348-5040 or http://wrc.ua.edu.