UTM Men Rock Against Domestic Violence was the first UTM Men Rock event held by Personal Safety Empowerment Program Project on Tuesday, Feb. 11th at 6:30 p.m. in Watkins Auditorium.
“UTM Men Rock is not a organization but is composed of a group of male volunteers who are interested in making more males aware of their role in the prevention of domestic violence. Any male is encouraged to become a P.S.E.P.P volunteer as well as to participate in programs,” said Natalie Boyd, P.S.E.P.P Count Me In coordinator.
Boyd says the event served to raise awareness among males about domestic violence.
“This was to help men become more committed to speaking out against domestic violence. The goal of this program was to not only raise awareness about domestic violence but to encourage UTM males to take a pledge to learn, speak and act against the hidden crime of sexual and domestic violence,” said Boyd.
This event not only had university students and faculty participating in the program in various ways, but it also had video pertaining to the subject. Several of the people performed, like singers Devin Nuggent and William Ellis, dancer Kar Howard and other university students and faculty who spoke.
Student Affairs Coordinators Dr. George Daniel and Joe Henderson, Public Safety Director Scott Robbins, Football Assistant Coach Nick Glenn and other men of UTM walked onto the stage toward the end of the program to make a pledge to change. The program ended with the UTM Men coming up on stage to dance and sing Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.”
“The males volunteered and their specific reason was to shed light on the importance of more men acting to prevent domestic violence, being more respectful, more supportive and more vocal in helping women not only feel their support but to see their support,” Boyd said.
Boyd said that there will be another program in April of 2014.
P.S.E.P.P. and the UTM Men Rock will promote an event called “Raising Awareness … By Stepping to Stop Domestic Violence.”
“This will be a march that will be led by UTM males. It is a call to males to come together and help break the silence and for men to release their stories, their stigmas and their pain as a result of how domestic violence has affected them,” said Boyd.
