For two and a half years (2008-2010), I worked in the Department of Student Life at MSU on the development of a Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program for incoming students. This work piggybacks on my collegiate experience working in male anti-gender violence programming, as well as an internship at the YWCA Domestic Assault Shelter in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I consider my role as a male to be pivotal in the prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence, primarily through the ability to use my privilege to challenge other men to understand how their behavior can contribute to the persistence of violence against women.
Within the SARV Prevention Program, I have worked heavily to recruit men and women to become undergraduate peer educators, I have been part of developing training sessions and workshops, and developing and mentoring undergraduate interns. Fall of 2009 was the first full implementation of the program, and went smoothly.
The experience has taught me a good deal about the workings of a University, particularly within the division of Student Affairs. I am also continuing to learn about my abilities as a teacher, leader, and role model for students, as I am filling a position in which my “maleness” is a primary asset; I am expected to connect, recruit, and motivate young men. Most importantly, however, I was able to continue to work in a field that I am passionate about, albeit not my primary field of academic study. I hope to continue to maintain links to such programs about gender violence throughout my career.
