New ‘Male Athletes Against Violence’ Program Poster Available
Contact: Sandra Caron, (207) 581-3138; George Manlove, (207) 581-3756
ORONO, Maine — UMaine’s groundbreaking peer education program, “Male Athletes Against Violence” (MAAV), has released its new poster for 2007-2008, “United Against Violence,” portraying 13 collegiate athletes in an assemblage of uniforms, each representing a National Collegiate Athletic Association sport.
The poster, the fifth since the program began three years ago, is designed to draw attention to athletic men who stand against sexual, domestic and any form of unwarranted violence. They are produced for institutions and organizations — colleges, universities, community athletics organizations and schools — that work with boys and men, says Sandra Caron, professor of Family Relations and Human Sexuality and founder of a 20-year-old umbrella organization “Athletes for Sexual Responsibility” at UMaine. Both peer-education programs have attracted national attention, Caron says, and are unique in their approaches — using athletes to relay the message that tough guys can stand tough against violence.
Like the peer-education program Athletes for Sexual Responsibility, MAAV involves student-athletes at the University of Maine who visit with various student groups or individuals on and off campus, to talk with young people about anger and violence, according to Caron.
The caption on the new poster, bearing a predominance of University of Maine colors, blue and white, reads: “Violence is a way of asserting power, privilege and control. Men perpetuate the majority of violence, and yet this issue is usually framed as a ‘woman’s issue. Change will come when we challenge the social norms and institutions that actively or implicitly condone and promote violence. MAAV is an effort to involve men so that we can begin to understand that violence is very much a ‘man’s issue.'”
Caron says the MAAV program, begun in 2004 with assistance from former UMaine football player Marcus Walton, has been successful since its emissaries are athletes who have reached a level of confidence and achievement that is respected by other students. While Caron oversees the program, UMaine’s Public Safety Director Noel March supervises the peer educators group.
“We all know that students talking to other students is the best way to get information out,” Caron says. “In this case, we know that on campus, athletes, next to the president, are among the most visible people, and having people who are willing to go out and talk to people is important. They also go out and do small group discussions on campus and in the community.”
MAAV offers a non-violence pledge card, a list of websites that promote similar messages, and the posters. The MAAV website is at www.umaine.edu/maav.
Caron says the MAAV program and poster campaign have been well-received by several major national newspapers, magazines and sports networks because of the message and the medium.
“Athletes are used to being pushed and pressured, and I think a lot of them really understand that just because I’m big and strong doesn’t mean I have to be violent,” Caron says. “They understand what it means to be a man and that violence is not OK, and why we need to find other ways to deal with anger. They’re good role models, not just for other athletes, but for other students.”
Caron can be reached for more information about the peer-education programs and acquiring one or several of the new posters, by calling (207) 581-3138 or emailing sandy.caron@umit.maine.edu.