Introduction to Men’s Alliance
Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel stressed the need for more men to take action against domestic violence as he spoke Thursday at the Union Club of Chicago in the Loop. As the final speaker of a daylong domestic violence summit hosted by the WINGS Program and the Chicago Bar Association, Emanuel announced the formation of the Men’s Alliance to End Domestic Violence.
The Formation of Men’s Alliance
The new program will launch through WINGS, Illinois’ largest domestic violence assistance provider, located in the Chicago area. “This is not a women’s issue. This is a family issue,” said Emanuel, who drafted the Violence Against Women Act with then-U.S. Sen. Joe Biden in 1994. “Whether you’re a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, you do not get to take a pass. You do not get to look the other way.”
Goals and Objectives of Men’s Alliance
The program, co-founded by Emanuel and former Chicago Bar Association President John Sciaccotta, aims to impel more men to become advocates and leaders in ending domestic violence, which has reportedly increased and become more severe in recent years in Chicago and across the country. The Men’s Alliance intends to educate men on how to challenge harmful behaviors in relationships and to support domestic violence survivors.
The Importance of Male Involvement
“If women could have stopped this fight themselves, we would have done it already, but we need men,” WINGS President and CEO Rebecca Darr said. “We need all of us together, and for men to speak out and talk to other men about healthy relationships and not treating their spouses or their girlfriends in horrific ways.”
Statistics on Domestic Violence
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point in their life, while for men, that number is one in seven. Many cases of intimate partner violence are not reported to law enforcement, with some studies estimating around 45% of incidents go unreported.
Increase in Domestic Violence Cases
Despite that, calls, texts and messages to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline have dramatically increased in recent years, according to a report released in June by The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. The Network reported 59,704 contacts to the hotline in 2024 — a 26% increase from 2023 and a 140% increase from 2019. Calls from Chicago also increased for the second consecutive year.
How to Get Involved
To sign up for the program, men can email their name and the city and state they reside in to mensalliance@wingsprogram.com. Darr said WINGS hopes to bring thousands — or as many men as possible — to the program worldwide.
Conclusion
The formation of the Men’s Alliance to End Domestic Violence is a crucial step in the fight against domestic violence. By educating men on how to challenge harmful behaviors in relationships and support domestic violence survivors, the program aims to create a safer and more supportive environment for all. As Emanuel said, “In their darkest, worst moment, that young woman, that old woman, that wife, that spouse, that girlfriend needs to know she is not alone.”
FAQs
Q: What is the Men’s Alliance to End Domestic Violence?
A: The Men’s Alliance to End Domestic Violence is a program launched by WINGS, Illinois’ largest domestic violence assistance provider, to educate men on how to challenge harmful behaviors in relationships and support domestic violence survivors.
Q: How can men get involved in the program?
A: Men can email their name and the city and state they reside in to mensalliance@wingsprogram.com to sign up for the program.
Q: What are the goals of the Men’s Alliance?
A: The goals of the Men’s Alliance are to impel more men to become advocates and leaders in ending domestic violence and to create a safer and more supportive environment for all.
Q: What are the statistics on domestic violence?
A: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point in their life, while for men, that number is one in seven. Many cases of intimate partner violence are not reported to law enforcement, with some studies estimating around 45% of incidents go unreported.
