Local men volunteered recently at a White Ribbon event at Petoskey High School to focus attention on the issue of violence against women and girls. Pictured handing out white ribbons are (from left) Kevin Burns, Sean Byram and Bill Wilson. Burns and Wilson serve as members of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan’s Violence Prevention Team and are 100 Men Campaign donors; Byram is Assistant Principal at Petoskey High School.

Since 2010, the 100 Men Campaign has been a way for local men to take a public stand against domestic abuse, sexual assault and child sexual assault and abuse. The campaign invites northern Michigan men to become part of the solution in ending violence that impacts the women and girls they care about – their daughters, partners, mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors.

“So many men care deeply about this issue,” said Gail Kloss, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). “The 100 Men Campaign is a way for men to take action by donating $100 and agreeing to have their name published alongside other supporters.”

Contributions to the 100 Men Campaign support local prevention initiatives such as awareness-raising media messages, film screenings, panel discussions, lectures, ‘Coaching Boys into Men’ materials and White Ribbon events. All dollars remain local and help engage community members in discussions about the roots of violence against women and girls and the role played by media, sports culture, religion, economics and the family structure.

The campaign has caught the eye of other groups across the country. The WRCNM has received inquiries to launch similar campaigns from as near as Detroit and as far away as Austin, Texas, the University of Memphis and the Eastern Seaboard.

“Important work takes time,” Kloss said. “This local campaign is reaching out to men and inviting them to be part of the growing momentum nationwide – worldwide – to create communities that support equality, respect and healthy relationships free from violence.”

Kloss cited other national efforts such as the recent work by the NFL encouraging fans to ‘get off the sidelines’ and speak out against domestic and sexual violence. The national NO MORE campaign focuses on the tendency to blame victims instead of perpetrators. College campuses across the country have also been working to bring about awareness, education and prevention for safer student life.

The 100 Men Campaign was born out of the belief that men have a crucial role to play in the movement to end violence against women and girls. Through greater awareness of this issue and by advocating for violence prevention at the community level, men are becoming part of the solution in ending what has become one of the most significant social issues of our time.

To learn more about the 100 Men Campaign or to make a $100 tax-deductible donation call the WRCNM main office at (231) 347-0067 or visit wrcnm.org/support/100-men-campaign.