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OVERVIEW / TRAINING OPTIONS

The Training Model

MVP trainings are facilitated discussions, not lectures. They are highly interactive. Awareness Raising Trainings are utilized to develop concrete options for teammates to employ during potentially dangerous social situations. Additionally, the trainings open dialogue regarding teammate leadership around issues of masculinity, battering and sexual assault. The trainings are co-facilitated by a multi-racial team of former athletes. We recommend two (2), 90-minute sessions to adequately discuss these issues with a team.

Goals:

• Raise player awareness of underlying issues and unique dynamics of violence against women, specifically battering and alcohol/sexual consent
• Help players develop concrete options for intervention in potentially dangerous social situations involving teammates
• Inspire the players to be proactive leaders around these issues
• Encourage players to think critically and personally (empathize) about these issues

Introductory Phase

Framing the Discussion: Leadership
The first step in each training involves introductions of the trainers. The athletic backgrounds and diversity of the trainers assist in establishing credibility with the participants. During this stage, the trainers reinforce the reason they are visiting with the players is due to the players’ tremendous leadership potential and influence with their peers, not because they are likely to be perpetrators of abuse.

Empathy Building
The next step for the trainers is to engage the participants in dialogue around why it is important for them, as men, to talk about issues surrounding gender violence. The trainers talk about how these issues personally affect the participants, including the potentially negative consequences that can result from not talking about abuse. This discussion focuses on empowering the players to understand and embrace their respective leadership roles within the team setting and beyond. The program then illustrates the benefits of taking a pro-active stance in addressing these issues with teammates and others.

Bystander Approach
The MVP model utilizes a unique “bystander approach” to prevention and intervention that empowers players to think more critically and personally about gender violence. This approach reduces defensiveness and enables participants to develop concrete options for intervention in the face of abusive behavior.

Awareness Raising Exercises
Following the Introductory Phase, the trainers facilitate a series of awareness raising exercises designed to address some myths regarding gender violence. The trainers ask questions for the
purpose of bringing commonly held beliefs and misconceptions into the discussion. A key piece of this segment involves the facilitation of an exercise in which the participants are asked whether they Agree, Disagree or are Unsure about a particular area. Examples include, “In some situations, it is OK for a man to hit a woman,” and “It is OK for two intoxicated adults to engage in sexual activity.” This exercise gets participants out of their seats, breaks the ice and begins to engage them in the issues.

Another key awareness raising exercise is the Box. The Box Exercise provides an opportunity for the men to explore social definitions of masculinity. In short, what they have learned about what it means to be a “real man” in our culture. This is an animated discussion that pushes men to confront how adhering to strict masculine gender roles does not leave much room for being in healthy relationships with women – or other people for that matter. During the Box Exercise, MVP trainers ask the players what they have learned from the mainstream culture about masculinity, what characteristics are repeatedly portrayed and what consequences do we have in real life if we act in those ways.

Additionally these exercises help the participants personalize the issue of gender violence, highlight the power of bystanders, and reinforce the importance of intervening and confronting potentially dangerous situations where teammates might need assistance. This also serves a teambuilding function as the players learn more about each other in areas that they normally would not address.

MVP Playbook Scenarios
Two MVP Playbook Scenarios are utilized for discussion with the players. In all scenario discussions, MVP trainers guide the players through discussion on the underlying dynamics involved – this is a critical piece of the education. The scenarios are designed to provide the players with the background information and education that will empower them to make good decisions when faced with difficult social situations involving teammates.

One of the scenarios, Slapshot, is an effective scenario for stimulating dialogue on the dynamics of battering. The trainers use discussion starting questions such as, “Why do you think men hit women?” to lead participants to the root causes of abuse (power and control, insecurity, family history, drug/alcohol use, lifestyle choices, etc). A large portion of the discussion revolves around potential options for intervention if they are confronted with an abusive situation involving a teammate.

Another scenario, Illegal Motion, sparks a discussion on the issues surrounding alcohol and sexual consent. This is a highly realistic and common scenario of which many players have been participants, observers, or possibly survivors of assaults. The scenario examines the dangers and consequences of abusing alcohol and/or other drugs. More importantly, the trainers lead a discussion about male expectations involving women in social settings, and how alcohol can exacerbate those expectations. Additionally, the importance of clear and effective communication is discussed. In conclusion, the group then focuses on the options available to them and the responsibilities of all parties involved.

Conclusion
Lastly, the trainers highlight the enormous leadership potential in the room. The trainers reiterate that each of the participants has the qualities of a leader, and that it is the individual responsibility of each of them to use their ability to help teammates as well as others.

SAMPLE TRAINING DAY

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FAQ

MVP, created in 1993 and presented in partnership by the Center for the Study of Sport in Society & the National Consortium for Academics & Sports, is a leadership program focusing on gender violence prevention and education. Below are some frequently asked questions about MVP:

What are the goals of the MVP Program?

The four main goals of the MVP Program are to:

• Raise player awareness of underlying issues and unique dynamics of violence against women.
• Empower players to develop concrete options for intervention in potentially dangerous social situations involving teammates
• Inspire the players to be proactive leaders around these issues
• Encourage players to think critically and personally (empathize) about these issues

Who does MVP train?

MVP works with players, front office staff, coaches, trainers and most anyone involved with the team.

How does MVP work with Professional Sport Teams?

MVP will work with teams on scheduling and logistical matters. MVP will guide teams through the process of determining the ideal group dynamics, selecting training dates, making travel arrangements, etc.

MVP will work with a team contact (generally someone in player development) to determine which training option best suits the team’s needs

MVP will provide follow up technical assistance and consultation.

What makes MVP unique?

Many aspects of the MVP Program distinguish it from other violence prevention and leadership programs. Below are some of MVP’s unique characteristics:

MVP trainers are former athletes, who capitalize on the elevated status of athletics in our culture to establish connections with players in highly effective ways.
MVP specializes in working with athletes and athletic organizations, having worked extensively with major college sport and professional sport over more than a decade.

MVP’s cutting-edge bystander approach to prevention empowers players to develop concrete skills for intervention in abusive situations.

MVP employs a discussion-based educational philosophy to make training sessions dynamic and interactive. MVP trainings are not lectures.

MVP utilizes original teaching materials including MVP Playbooks which consist of realistic social scenarios involving various forms of men’s violence against women.

MVP teaches basic media literacy skills by helping players deconstruct mainstream images related to men’s violence against women.

MVP staff creates a “safe space” for players to learn from one another.

MVP is highly replicable, allowing teams to utilize the curriculum long after the initial training.

What are the main topics MVP covers?

• Leadership & Bystander Behavior
• Brother’s Keeper: Being accountable for your teammates
• Masculinity as it relates to violence against women
• Violence & abuse in relationships
• Sexual Assault and sexual consent

TESTIMONIALS

“The MVP Program is the most effective program of its kind that I have seen. MVP offers the best means of eliminating violence against women before it starts. I expect the New England Patriots as well as the New England Revolution to be leaders on this issue - to their peers and in the community. I hope other NFL teams follow the example we have set.”
Robert Kraft
Owner, New England Patriots

“The Southeastern Conference is pleased to have formed a partnership with the MVP Program that continues our goal of preparing our student-athletes for life. The MVP staff has worked well with SEC universities in bringing a message of personal responsibility and leadership through a program that presents positive challenges to the thinking of our student-athletes.”
Mike Slive
Commissioner, Southeastern Conference (SEC)

“MVP trainers clearly get it when it comes to communicating with athletes and the MVP Program was exactly what we were hoping for. I know our players and staff benefited from the training and we look forward to a continued relationship.”
Ben Cherington
Vice President / Player Personnel, Boston Red Sox

“I think MVP is very valuable. I would highly recommend the MVP program to any and all organizations. We want our players to represent the Boston Red Sox in the ballpark but also out in the community. I think they’ve done a fantastic job with our players and with our staff members…and I can’t say enough for the presentations that I’ve been involved with.”
Rob Leary
Minor League Field Coordinator, Boston Red Sox

“The way that MVP engages…the players on this topic and forces their participation in a non-threatening way…as they teach this topic as opposed to lecture on this topic I think is very important…It creates an environment that players are more receptive to and will participate.”
Mike Hazen
Director of Player Development, Boston Red Sox

“I thought it was great. I enjoyed it. I think the players learned something. We all got something out of it. We learned something about the importance of communication.”
Charlie Manuel
Manager, Philadelphia Phillies

“MVP staff have ‘hit a homerun’ when it comes to delivering the message that violence against women is unacceptable. MVP presenters articulate their message in a way that many student-athletes have not heard, whether it be through reflexive thought or active participation, they have unequivocally gotten our student-athletes’ attention. At Michigan State University, we are confident that the MVP program has made a difference in the lives of our student-athletes.”
Jim Pignataro
Associate Athletics Director / Director of Student-Athlete Support Services, Michigan State University

“The biggest thing I’m going to take away from this is that I have the power to be a leader and change situations, and if I see a situation that’s negative between a man and a woman that I have the power to intervene…I have the power to change our society.”
Clifton Ryan
Former Football Player, Michigan State University

“The program was very effective…because it was clear cut. I don’t think student-athletes need to be hit with statistics…They need to be hit with more real life situations, and that’s exactly what the program did. They told us what battery is, sexual assault, sexual harassment. They didn’t just read the definition, they gave us scenarios…One thing the program was good at was giving us a plan…I think student-athletes need to be pounded…with programs talking about values and choices, and I can attest that it does make a difference…I think the more we approach this issue with openness and a genuine concern for the athletes, it will continue to dwindle.”
Jemalle Cornelius
Former Football Player, University of Florida

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WHO WE WORK WITH

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