Anyone can help to change attitudes that foster sexual violence.

Community members can begin by believing:

• They can take the time to educate themselves regarding the difference between the statistics and the myths about sexual violence.
• They can educate children - in their homes and their schools - to respect other people.
• They can reject the "boys will be boys" notion as an excuse for disrespectful behavior.

Teens can set sexual limits and talk about them openly and honestly with their partners.

• They can assume an equal decision-making role in their relationships.
• They can insist that they be treated with respect and they can agree to treat others with respect.

Men have an important role in helping to change attitudes that foster sexual violence.

• They can recognize that until they become part of the solution, they will remain the larger part of the problem.
• They can disassociate themselves from the "male privilege" notions that society has long bestowed on them.
• They can reject the notion that sexual violence is a form of rough sex.
• They can reject pornography as a form of appropriate male entertainment and refuse to support merchants who dispense it.
• They can refuse to "tune out" the voices of the spokespeople (generally women) who represent agencies that battle sexual violence.
• They can refuse to "tune out" the voices of the women in their lives and in their communities.
• They can refrain from making jokes that deride women and they can refuse to tolerate such jokes when they are made by others.
• They can take on the challenge of sharing with other men their knowledge of male accountability.
• They can take on the challenge of caring not only about the women in their own lives but women in their communities - and beyond - as well.
• They can accept the responsibility of making their home, their country and the world a safer place for women.