How Men Can Help

Prevention: How Men and Boys Can Help!

90% of abusers and perpetrators of gender-based violence are men BUT most men are not abusive or violent. To end domestic and sexual violence, men and boys need to be part of the solution and use their voice for change.

Join the White Ribbon Campaign!

The goal of the White Ribbon Campaign is to end violence against women by engaging men in the process of personal, relational and social change.

We encourage men to take a personal pledge – and then try to incorporate – seven behaviors identified by the International White Ribbon Campaign Committee to help end gender-based violence and promote gender equity, healthy relationships and positive ideals of masculinity:

1. Think about the kind of man you want to be. Be true to yourself.
2. Never use force, threats, or violence in your relationships with others.
3. Wear a white ribbon and speak out against violence against women.
4. Be a good role model and share with those around you the importance of respecting women and girls.
5. Learn about the impact of violence against women in our communities.
6. Challenge and speak out against hurtful language, sexist jokes and bullying.
7. Accept your role as a guy in helping end violence against women. It affects everyone.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event

Each April, CFJ hosts Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, a one mile walk and awareness event takes place in downtown Fairfield. For each of the last ten years our walk has been led by White Ribbon Committee Chair Gary MacNamara, Executive Director of Public Safety & Government Affairs at Sacred Heart University and former police chief in the town of Fairfield. The event features a walk down the Post Road to Town Hall, where there are speakers and awards given in many categories, including most creative shoes, best signs and fun T-shirts. It’s a great way to build awareness about the impact gender-based violence has on our communities, particularly as it takes places during Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Months.

The 2022 walk will take place on Saturday, April 23. Registration at the Fairfield Train Station begins at 8 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 9 a.m. sharp.

History of the White Ribbon Campaign

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women students at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Canada, were killed by gunman Marc Lepine who claimed he was “fighting feminism.” Because of the massacre, a handful of men in Canada formed the White Ribbon Campaign because they felt they had a responsibility to urge men to speak out about violence against women. Today, there are White Ribbon Campaigns in more than 55 countries.

Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

If more people are aware of the issue, offenders will be held accountable and more victims will find safety and support.

For more information, contact on getting involved in White Ribbon Contact Director of Education & Community Engagement Amanda Posila at APosila@CenterforFamilyJustice.org. or White Ribbon Committee Chairperson Gary MacNamara @macnamarag4@sacredheart.edu.