The Men of UNCmen walking

In April of 2002, ASAP was awarded a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health, Division of Criminal Justice to start a male-to-male peer education program. After planning the project over the summer, the program was kicked off in the fall of 2002. UNC faculty and staff nominated male students with strong leadership skills, public speaking ability, and sensitivity to issues relating to violence against women.

The group's focus is to enlist men as allies in the fight against sexual assault. Their program, "Be the Better Man" explores how men are socialized to be aggressive and how this creates problems in social and sexual situations. They educate men that contrary to popular stereotypes, most men have positive attitudes toward women, sex, and relationships. Based on a recent survey of 298 UNC men, ASAP staff found the following:

  • 93% said they stop the first time their date says no to sexual activity, even if they are already sexually aroused.
  • 9 out of 10 UNC men said that even if a woman has her clothes off, she still has the right to say no to sex.
  • 9 out of 10 UNC men said that being drunk is no excuse for forcing a woman to have sex (which is rape).
  • 8 out of 10 UNC men said they would intervene if they witnessed a woman being mistreated.

The Men of UNC believe that negative stereotypes about young men create pressures on men that can set the stage for sexual assault. They speak to all-male groups to promote positive attitudes, respectful behaviors, and bystander intervention if witnessing abusive or potentially abusive behavior.

If you would like to join The Men of UNC or to schedule a program for your men's group please call the ASAP office at 351-1490.