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Men Educating Men on the Prevention of Sexual Assault (MEMPSA)
| A Peer Education Program for Men by Men
In BGSU's efforts to review, propose, and promote educational programs aimed at the prevention of and response to sexual offenses
at Bowling Green State University, the What Men Need to Know about Rape (WMNtKaR) program was created. In the Fall of 2000,
this group changed its name to Men Educating Men on the Prevention of Sexual Assault (MEMPSA) to more accurately reflect the
following goals and objectives of the program:
To inform men of:
- The role of alcohol in rapes
- The progression of sexual exploitative behavior and sexual assault
- The legal and physical consequences of sexual assault
- Appropriate social and sexual interactions which do not involve aggression or violence
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MEMPSA peer educators are both undergraduate and graduate students who have been recruited and trained to present a men-only
educational program about sexual assault. The peer educators focus on encouraging men to challenge their own beliefs and
values concerning sexual behaviors. MEMPSA meets with many groups on campus, including residence halls, fraternities, and
student organizations and clubs.
Reasons to Join MEMPSA
Because I:
- Believe that sexual assault will not end until men become part of the solution.
- Take pride in myself as a man.
- Care about the women in my life.
- Am angry that people I know have been hurt.
- Know that woman is raped every three minutes in this country.
- Understand that sexual assault is a crime of violence against women's bodies, women's emotional well-being, and a women's
right to do with their bodies as they choose.
- Recognize that men and women will not be equal until sexual assault ends.
- Know that trust between men and women is difficult in a world where sexual assault exists.
- Accept my responsibility to assist in making this a safer world.
MEMPSA Pledge to End Sexual Assault
I pledge to:
- Speak out to other men about my anger toward the concept of sexual assault.
- Support laws that encourage male responsibilities for ending sexual assault.
- Listen and address women's fears and concerns for safety.
- Challenge the images of violence against women in advertising and pornography.
- Encourage and support women to report sexual assault.
- Recognize that cooperation is power; men and women need to work together to end sexual assault.
- Help create a culture where sexual assault is not tolerated.
What Facilitators Have to Say...
"We're providing an environment where men can be totally honest about their role and responsibility in preventing sexual assault."
-Joe Calizo
"It's a program by guys, for guys and we really focus on that aspect throughout the experience. Often times men feel alienated,
threatened, or blamed during presentations about date rape and sexual assault. In What Men Need to Know about Rape, we try
and avoid this at all costs."
-Sean McGreevey
"It provides an open environment for men to freely discuss an often taboo topic. The program is also a great opportunity to
help foster the development of everyone involved
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-Dan Barnett
"MEMPSA is an opportunity for men to express concerns and questions about sexual assault in a non-threatening environment.
No question is ever stupid and its okay not to know, as long as you are willing to learn and try to understand ".
-Matt McGown
"The men of MEMPSA are taking their messages into dorms and fraternities and using the power of peer interaction to stop assaults
before they ever start. It takes a strong voice to stand out against a world that says sexual assault prevention can't start
with men, the men of MEMPSA have that voice". -Heath Huber
"MEMPSA offers a great opportunity to address challenging issues in a realistic and fun manner." -Adam Brigham
For more information on how to become a MEMPSA facilitator or to request a presentation please contact:
Zabrina Andres
Wellness Connection
(419) 372-0470
zandres@bgsu.edu
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