Women have been the center of discussion about how their actions influence the perpetration of rape. However, it is worth noting that men and boys have a significant role in stopping or preventing rape. One way they can alter their behavior and be part of rape prevention is to be aware of consent. Men should understand the different forms of refusal to engage in sexual activity, whether the woman voices out their stance or not (de Villiers et al., 2021). Coupled with this, they should practice self-control while being educated about mutual consent. Acceptable behavior and self-control can be reinforced through sex education. Involvement in advocacy against rape and increased involvement in finding solutions to challenges related to rape are also important.
Men and boys can also alter their behavior in a way that reduces rape occurrences through positive socialization. In the ted-talk Violence against women—it’s a men’s issue, Jackson Katz emphasizes that men who are initially sexually assaulted are likely to perpetrate such acts against women or their fellow men. There is, therefore, a need for behavioral change through a conscious decision not only to stop being perpetrators but not to psychologically influence boys who later on do such heinous acts due to previous events that negatively influenced them mentally. Men should take the lead role in being examples and voicing out their distaste about rape.
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Men and boys can also change their behavior through a collaborative effort with women who are in the frontline fighting against the rape culture and victim blame. For a long time, men have viewed rape as a women’s issue; hence, they have been less concerned. Such attitudes and notions should change by men being actively being involved in understanding gender dynamics and how different systems in society directly or indirectly positively influence a rape culture. Men must start to view the problem as one that significantly involves them. They should be taking the lead role in putting in place initiatives and programs that help in rape prevention, other than waiting for other stakeholders to come up with solutions to this challenge.
References
de Villiers, T., Duma, S., & Abrahams, N. (2021). “As young men we have a role to play in preventing sexual violence”: Development and relevance of the men with conscience intervention to prevent sexual violence. PLoS one , 16 (1), e0244550.
Jackson K.(2013. October). Violence against women—it's a men's issue: Jackson Katz at TEDxFiDiWomen[Video]. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTvSfeCRxe8
