I heard on the news today that 60% of all our children are exposed to violence on a daily basis. I was shocked and saddened to hear this statistic. To quote Mahatma Gandi, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Our children and our society need to see more positive role models—especially males. Young boys need to see and learn from men who demonstrate that real men can be kind, respectful, and gentle. This legacy is vital to our future generations.

Our men’s taskforce has launched their annual 100 men, 1 Voice, 1 Campaign. Since 2004, this group of men has recruited more than 100 men each year to take a stand against domestic violence and be a voice for those who cannot speak–abused women and their children. This year we are especially pleased to have two great advocates, Hugh McCutcheon, U. S. Olympic gold medal winning men’s volleyball coach, as our campaign spokesperson and Verizon Wireless, a national sponsor and advocate of domestic violence prevention programs and education.

Domestic violence is not simply a women’s issue. It is an issue for all of us, for all men who want to stand for values of respect and concern for others, for all men who care for their daughters, wives, sisters and mothers, for all men who want to create a world where women and children are safe in their own homes.

Please visit our website www.humanoptions.org to join the good men who take a stand.