What Men Can Do

Men: What you want to know about date rape

Gender Violence: What Can Men Do?

Resources:

• The Men's Resource Center of Western Michigan

Men: What you want to know about date rape

1. It is never okay to use force in dating situations no matter how real or imagined the "provocation" is, i.e. teasing, dressing seductively or leading you on. If you resort to coercion, threats, fear, or force to overpower a woman for sexual intercourse, you are guilty of rape.

2. "No" means no. If you do not accept a woman's "no", you might risk raping someone whom you thought meant "yes".

3. If you are getting a double message from a woman, speak up and clarify what she wants. Do not assume you know what your partner wants.

4. Your desires may be beyond your control, but your actions are within your control. Sexual excitement does not justify forced sex.

5. Do not assume that her desire for affection is the same as a desire for intercourse.

6. Do not assume that previous permission for sexual contact applies to the current situation.

7. No one asks to be raped. No matter how a woman behaves, she does not deserve to have her body used in ways she does not want.

8. Taking sexual advantage of a person who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent (for example, when intoxicated) is rape.

9. The fact that you were intoxicated is not a legal defense to rape. You are responsible for your actions, whether you are sober or not.

10. The law does not distinguish between stranger and acquaintance rape. It is illegal in Michigan (Criminal Sexual Conduct Statue) to force any sexual contact against her will. In other words, a woman can prosecute even if intercourse was not completed.

11. Rape is punishable by imprisonment and expulsion from school.

12. Men can be victims of rape and have the same rights to counseling and legal action as women do.

Gender Violence: What Can Men Do?

This resource is from The Men's Resource Center of Western Michigan