Most violence against women is committed by men, yet most men are NOT violent.

The mission of StandUp is to end men's violence against women through education and outreach; and engaging men to be active participants and not bystanders in preventing violence against women.

The Goals of StandUp include:

• Increase awareness of how the role of bystander contributes to violence against women.
• Increase the number of men who choose to stand up and not be bystanders to violence against women.
• Provide a support network of men and women for those who are choosing to stand up against violence against women.  
  

Being a good man is not enough; good men need to speak up, support women and challenge men who would otherwise be silent or unaware of the problem.

StandUp is a group of men and women working together to end men's violence against women. StandUp was formed out of concern that men need a greater understanding of how everyday behaviors can contribute to violence against women and that there are many well-meaning men who want to end men's violence against women.  StandUp provides that opportunity.

• In 2005 there were 115,282 domestic violence crimes reported in Illinois, more than 90% were crimes against women. This translates to 316 victims per day or one victim every 4 minutes, 55 seconds.
• In 2005, there were 5,982 criminal sexual assaults and 8,952 cases of child sexual abuse. This translates to 16 sexual assaults every day, or one assault every 90 minutes, and 25 child sexual assaults every day or every 57 minutes, 06 seconds.
• All men are not responsible for committing acts of violence. But all men must take responsibility for ending all forms of violence.
• Men are critical in creating equality in relationships, society, etc. and changing unequal power relations. Viewing women as “less than”, treating them as property or objects, either consciously or unconsciously contributes to violence against women.
• This work is an effort to redefine what a strong and masculine man is.

• The women and girls in your life are impacted, as well as your sons.
• Everyone needs to stand with women against male violence; and we need to offer our sons, brothers and fathers an opportunity to be socialized differently and supported in showing their masculinity in a healthy way; with respect towards women.
• Violence against women affects everyone through increasing incarceration rates, escalating healthcare costs, resulting mental health issues such as depression, substance abuse, increased public safety costs, etc.
• Proven prevention programs save $7 - $14 for every $1 invested.

• Well-intentioned, good men need to move from the role of standing by, to standing up and being active in speaking out and creating change; if not, violence against women and girls will continue.
• Change will only happen if we each accept personal responsibility to make sure it happens. Taking responsibility means caring enough about the women in your life to be active in creating change to ensure that they can live without fear of violence.
• Men’s violence against women is rooted in inequalities between men and women, and in the way men learn to be men. Men can and must teach how to be non-violent.

• Make a personal commitment to explore your own behaviors and make positive changes that support equality between men and women.
  
• Focus in on men’s roles and responsibilities in being a part of the solution.
• Establish a speaker’s bureau to provide gender- and violence against women sensitization workshops for men,
• Develop awareness raising activities or campaigns targeted at and led by men who repudiate violence against women.
• Work towards long-term solutions. Change the role of bystander Change the social dynamics that reinforce and support sexism and misogyny Change attitudes that equate masculinity with the power to control.
• Teach children, by example, that all forms of violence are unacceptable, and that for boys to become men, they do not need to control or dominate either women, men, or children.