What is Leaders Act?

Every minute a man abuses a women and no one says anything. Sport in Society, a Northeastern University Center, and Jane Doe, Inc. have proudly teamed up to change this reality through the third installment of the Leaders Act awareness campaign.  The most recent Public Service Announcement was developed in collaboration with Manasia, Inc. and 890 ESPN Boston & 1400 ESPN Lowell.

The campaign uses the power and appeal of professional athletes to help create awareness about gender violence and to stop the abuse. Watson, who generously donated his time to the campaign, is the second in the series of athletes to support the cause. The first series featured former Boston Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler.  

Be a Leader

GET ANSWERS.
Sexual assault and domestic violence disrupt the lives of victims and those who care about them. And it happens all too frequently. Regardless of the prevalence of abuse, it’s hard for people to talk about these issues. By learning more about the facts and resources available, you can help a friend, colleague or family member. You can also find out how you can help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.

Here are a few websites with more information:

• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
• Jane Doe Inc.
• Mentors in Violence Prevention
• Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC)
• Maria Talks (statewide teen sexual health hotline and website)
• Myths and Facts about Domestic Violence in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community
• National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence
• National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
• That’s Not Cool (Teen Digital Dating Abuse)
• World Health Organization – Gender Based Violence
  

GET HELP.
If you or someone you care about has been or is currently a victim or perpetrator of violence, we encourage you contact a program to talk about resources and options that would be right for you. To find the rape crisis, sexual assault and domestic violence program nearest you in Massachusetts, please click here. For a list of Batterer’s Intervention Programs, click here. You can also call SafeLink at 1-877-785-2020. SafeLink is a 24-hour, free and multi-lingual domestic violence hotline for programs in Massachusetts. They can also connect you to rape crisis and sexual assault services.

GET INVOLVED
Domestic violence and sexual assault will only stop when each and every one of us decides to take ACTION!

• Speak up and reach out - let your friends, family members and co-workers know they are not alone, and let abusers know that violence is unacceptable.
• Volunteer or make a donation to a local sexual assault or domestic violence organization.
• Become a role model for young people in your life - let them know early on that violence is never acceptable.

Below are links to additional resources where you can learn more about sexual assault and domestic violence and what you can do to help create a world free of abuse:

• Sport in Society's Mentors in Violence Prevention Program
• Jane Doe Inc.
• Jane Doe Inc.'s White Ribbon Day Campaign
• A Call To Men
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
• Men Can Stop Rape
• National Compadres Network
• One Man Can

Through Sport in Society's Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training, participants learn they have the power to stand up against men’s violence towards women. Utilizing the unique bystander approach, MVP teaches men and women they are not potential victims, but empowered bystanders able to confront abusive peers.

Get More Information

For more information about Leaders Act and Sport in Society’s Mentors in Violence Prevention please click here or call 617-373-8420.

Download a poster featuring New England Patriot's Player Benjamin Watson, spokesperson for Sport In Society's Leaders Act Campaign.