October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are focusing on Men Making a Difference.

Some may wonder why an organization that primarily serves women would focus on men during this month. Domestic violence is widely viewed as a women's issue because the vast majority of victims are women and because women have led and continue to be the leaders in efforts to end domestic violence. Women decided a long time ago that they wanted men's violence against them to stop. Men, in general, have not made the decision to stand up and say violence against women is not acceptable.

Domestic violence is a gender issue. What I mean by that is domestic violence is, in large part, committed by men against women. Yet, we also know that most men are not violent against women. We need those men to stand up and speak out against violence — to see it, to name it and to speak out against it! There is a growing movement of men in our state and across the country who believe that men are the key to ending domestic violence. The silence of men around this issue communicates a tacit approval of how some men choose to treat women.

In our society, men are trained as young boys to accept violence as part of manhood. This pressure prevails into adulthood, but real men see through this conditioning and are aware enough to tell other men that bullying is a sign of weakness, that abuse is a sign of a dysfunctional relationship, and that physical violence is a crime. All women need the voices of men; men in our communities who are not afraid to take a stand. Are you one of those men? Do you know one of those men? We are asking for your help and for your voice this month and throughout this coming year.

This should not and cannot be an anonymous voice. We want real men, with real courage to contact us and let us know that you will join this cause. Visit the Colorado Men Against Domestic Violence website at www.coloradodads.com and take their pledge. A portion of it reads as follows: ”It is time for men to stand against domestic violence. These acts destroy the fabric of our communities and families. We honor the leadership of the many women that have fought tirelessly on this issue and we join them now in solidarity, firmly committed to equality. We also need men supporting our work here in our community.“

Please visit our website, www.summitadvocates.org, to see the many ways you can contribute to the valuable work of the Advocates in Summit County!

Amy Jackson is executive director of Advocates for Victims of Assault. www.summitadvocates.org.