A Few Good Men Raising Awareness for Sexual Assault on Women

 

Men have been getting a lot of heat lately for being the main perpetrators behind the astonishing high stats we shared with you last week about the occurrence of sexual assault on college campuses –

1 in 5 women has been sexually assaulted while in college.

When we read the all too common news stories about frat parties that serve date rape laced drinks, it’s hard not to breed a growing hatred and fear against men. It’s especially hard when these men are being let off the hook way too easy and an astounding 95% of rape cases are not even being reported by their female victims.

At Maxim Hygiene Products, we’re all about women’s empowerment and progress, which is why we run our #FierceWomen blog series, designed to inspire women to make change and improve our rights. Last week, we featured Wagatwe Wanjuki’s fierce efforts in raising awareness for the unacceptable level of sexual assaults occurring on campuses everywhere.

This week we wanted to take the opportunity to also acknowledge recent efforts by men who are committed preventing rape on college campuses. Although we still have much to do to end the violence against women, we are making progress thanks to these brave men committed to improving women’s rights –

President Obama – Earlier in the year, after a report by The White House Council on Women and Girls stated that “women at our nation’s colleges and universities are at particular risk of being sexually assaulted,” President Obama requested a more detailed investigation and plan be compiled to deal with sexual assault on college campuses. Ninety days later, we received a The First Report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault. Just last week, we saw the release of the #ItsOnUs campaign, hopefully, one of the first of many by the government that will target this issue.

Undercover Colors – Founded by four male students at the University of North Carolina, where between 2010 and 2012 there were 14 incidents of forced sexual assault on campus, this newly launched brand of nail polish is made to detect the presence of date rape drugs in drinks. A simple stir of the drink by a fingernail polished with this uniquely formulated lacquer will change color if drugs are detected. Although this company claims, “empowerment through discreet functional fashion,” many are up in arms about its effectiveness in detecting the many chemicals used in date rape drugs and curing the degrading societal perspectives on gender based sex roles and stereotypes.

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes – Not only are this sassy organization’s participants primarily male, but so is it’s founder, Frank Baird. This International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediations to men’s sexualized violence against women. Like the students at University of Georgia did recently, participants walk a mile in heels to raise awareness for rape on campus and in general.

So, as you can see, not all men are created equally and many are equally willing to make an effort to improve our lives and fight for women’s rights, just like our company’s Founder who created the Maxim line of Organic and Natural Tampons and Pads to provide for a healthier alternative in menstrual care.

We’d love to hear from you and any men you may know of who are working to prevent and protect against sexual assault!