The end of violence against women begins with men––‘We are the Lions’ video

NASHVILLE, Tenn.––“The General Commission on UM Men acknowledges most men are kind, caring and respectful, but occasionally their words and actions objectify women as sex objects,” says Gil Hanke, top staff executive.

A new video, “We are the Lions,” links this thinking and behaving with domestic abuse.

“Most men are not the perpetrators of domestic violence,” says Hanke, “but their occasional lapses provide the basis for domestic abuse.”

He says the video produced by MEND, a Nashville YWCA organization, “bluntly and directly challenges male attitudes and inaction that demean women and attempt to make criminal behavior seem somehow acceptable.

“Men play a critical role in preventing domestic abuse because men are the perpetrators,” says Hanke.

Hanke serves on the MEND steering committee and a sub-group of faith leaders who want to impact pastors, men’s ministry leaders, and Scout leaders. Their goal is to challenge men to change the ways in which they view women, and to help them understand how their words and behavior makes violence against women and girls seem acceptable.

MEND wants to make Nashville the safest city for women and girls in the U.S.

The organization has given Hanke the permission to make the “We are the Lions” video available to groups of UM Men across the nation.

The video may be viewed here.