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MyStrength Campaign

What is the MyStrength Campaign?

The MyStrength Campaign is a statewide social marketing campaign involving media, local communities, schools, and California’s Rape Crisis Centers

Developed and implemented by the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) in partnership with Washington DC’s Men Can Stop Rape
Focused on preventing first time perpetration of sexual violence
Enlists men and boys in prevention efforts, encouraging them to take responsibility and find solutions
Centers around the theme “My Strength is Not for Hurting,” which emphasizes positive masculinity and enables men to maintain their strength without using coercion, intimidation, force, or violence
Takes an innovative approach to sexual assault prevention by demonstrating the way that young men can play an active role in the movement to end sexual violence

Goals of the MyStrength Campaign

Change Public Perceptions of Rape and Sexual Violence: primary prevention and education of a population at risk of perpetration
Overcome Barriers to Prevention: focusing on underserved communities and communities of color in both rural and urban settings
Involve Men and Boys in Prevention of Rape and Sexual Violence: make young men the target population of the social marketing campaign’s prevention efforts and directly involve these young men in leading prevention activities in their communities and schools.
Promote Sexual Assault Education: create new tools and materials to use in sexual assault education and awareness building.

Funding

Funding comes from Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) funds from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Additional funding for MyStrength is generously provided by the United Way Community Impact Fund, the Central Coast Funds for Children, and King David’s Masonic Lodge #209 of San Luis Obispo.

What is the MyStrength Club?

MyStrength Clubs are a group of empowered young men ages 14 to 18 who are committed to the common purpose of taking a leadership role in promoting positive strength and redefining masculinity.

The purpose of a MyStrength Club is to:

Provide a safe, supportive environment so young men can connect with each other and explore positive examples of masculinity and male strength.
Understand how traditional masculinity can contribute to violence, gender inequality, and unhealthy relationships so we can rise above them.
Inspire with examples of healthy and strong role models of what it is to be a real man today.
Encourage leaders to promote gender equality and prevent men’s violence among their friends and in their community.

During the 2005-2006 school year, the SARP Center was one of 6 pilot sites in California to operate a MyStrength Club. We selected Lopez High School in Arroyo Grande to be the location of the MyStrength Club, and the group met weekly from October to June. The SARP Center plans to continue running the MyStrength Club at Lopez High School and hopes to expand into at least one more San Luis Obispo County high school for the 2006-2007 school year.

More Information and Materials

To get more information or to download MyStrength posters, postcards, buddy icons, and more, check out www.mystrength.org or www.mifuerza.org.

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