Prevention Connection attempts to protect women against sexual assault

Prevention Connection, which has a web site at http://www.preventconnect.org/, has a program to help protect women against sexual assault.  It is a project of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), located at 1215 K Street, Suite 1100, Sacramento, CA 95814.  Telephone 916-446-2520.  They have online presentations, web conferences, and discussion groups that can help women who feel that they are in danger of being assaulted, or who have been assaulted.  They are also located at preventconnect.wordpress.com and facebook.com/preventconnect, and twitter.com/preventconnect.

You may wish to attend a conference sponsored by CALCASA in Los Angeles this September 1-3, though they say it is probably too late to register.  The web site is http://calcasa.org/nsac/

Another online group that offers new solutions to end violence is http://www.endabuse.org/
This is the web site of the Family Violence Prevention Fund sponsored by the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention.  They offer these 8 ways a man can coach boys into men.

EIGHT WAYS YOU CAN COACH BOYS INTO MEN

Teach early.  It's never too soon to talk to a child about violence.  Talk with him about what it means to be fair, share and treat others with respect.

Be there.  Just being with boys is crucial. The time doesn't have to be spent in activities.  Boys will probably not say this directly;--but they want a male presence around them, even if few words are exchanged.

Listen.  Hear what he has to say.  Listen to how he and his friends talk about girls.  Ask him if he's ever seen abusive behavior in his friends.

Tell him how.  Teach him ways to express his anger without using violence.  When he gets mad, tell him he can walk it out, talk it out, or take a time out.  let him know he can always come to you if he feels like things are getting out of hand.

Bring it up.  Try watching TV with him or listening to his music.  If you see or hear things that depict violence against women, tell him what you think about it.  Never hesitate to let him know you don't approve of sports figures that demean women, or jokes, video games and song lyrics that do the same.

Be a Role Model.  Any man who spends time with boys or teens will have the greatest impact when they walk the walk.  They will earn what respect means by observing how you treat others.  So make respect a permanent way of dealing with people.  He's watching what you say and do and takes his cues from you, both good and bad.

Teach others.  Your job isn't done after the firs talk.  Help him work through problems as they arise.  Let him know he can talk to you anytime.  Use every opportunity to reinforce the message that violence has no place in a relationship.

Become a Founding Father.  Show him how important the issue of vi8olence against women and children is to you.  Join thousands of men across the country who are taking a stand against violence.  Become a Founding Father yourself.