Men Can Stop Rape organization speaks to USU’s Greek Life
A sexual assault prevention organization spoke to Utah State University’s sorority and fraternity members Monday night about sexual violence. The organization, Men Can Stop Rape, was founded in 1997 and is based in Washington D.C. The group’s mission, according to its website, is to “mobilize men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men’s violence against women.”
The presentation at USU was given by Jason Page, the senior director of national programs for MCSR, and Nicholas McGinty, the MCSR training and technical assistance manager.
Greek Life attended a mandatory meeting about how men can stop rape on April 16, 2018 in the TSC.
Page said the organization was “started by men who want to lend a helping hand, to be allies.”
He added that having the audience tell their stories during the presentation is “a key way to learn.”
McGinty and Page asked the audience about preconceived notions about fraternity and sorority life. Audience members suggested: drinking, partying and hazing. Page insisted that he and McGinty put those preconceived notions to the side.
Page said they were going over those preconceived notions not because the audience members were part of Greek organizations, but because they are student leaders.
McGinty and Page’s next topic was dominant stories — explained as stories typically known by everyone and what most everyone “consciously believes,” McGinty said.
Page and McGinty compared a list of qualities the audience listed out to prominent men in the media, such as Barack Obama and LeBron James, and asked what qualities a “real” man possesses. They then asked the audience who the dominant men were in their lives and what makes them “real” men.
Greek Life attended a mandatory meeting about how men can stop rape on April 16, 2018 in the TSC.
An audience member brought up the point that the qualities that were described for men that they knew personally were more “feminine.” Another audience member mentioned that the lists were different because nobody knows the prominent men in the media personally.
McGinty and Page asked the audience what “dominant stories” existed about rape prevention for women. Audience members suggested: don’t walk alone at night, don’t wear your hair up and suggest a public place when you go on a date.
Page asked what men do to protect themselves from encountering sexual violence. An audience member suggested, “Just being a dude.” Page added that men don’t typically worry about sexual assault unless they are in jail or prison.
Page and McGinty ended their presentation by asking that the audience members go and discuss this topic with someone who wasn’t in the room.
“Even if it was the dumbest thing you have heard, talk about it.” Page said.
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