About the Men’s Anti-violence Network of Utah (MAN)

The Men’s Anti-violence Network of Utah (MAN) was formed in 2009 by men concerned about continuing interpersonal violence in Utah and wanting to do something to make the state safer. Today, MAN of Utah continues to grow its membership and is working closely with the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA), the Utah Domestic Violence Council (UDVC), the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and other partners to prevent interpersonal violence in Utah.

MAN charges no dues to its members. We are supported by public grants and private contributions from businesses, foundations and individuals. MAN of Utah is not affiliated with any national organization.

Vision:

MAN’s vision is that all men, women and children of Utah will live in a violence-free environment. Domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other forms of interpersonal violence will be non-existent.

Mission:

MAN’s mission is to end domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other forms of interpersonal violence in Utah by increasing public awareness of violence issues, actively engaging men in prevention efforts, advocating for more effective anti-violence policy, and ensuring that males of all ages understand appropriate male behaviors.

Principles:

The following principles form the core of the MAN philosophy regarding interpersonal violence:

Interpersonal violence is unacceptable in any form, and perpetrators of violence should face appropriate consequences for their behaviors.
Domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence are men’s issues as much as they are women’s issues. To prevent this violence, men must take responsibility for their participation in its existence. Passively accepting the existence of this violence means, in essence, contributing to its existence.
Men’s violence against women and men can be reduced and eventually eliminated through education, role modeling, mentoring, positive peer culture, conflict resolution, assistance to victims, and improving the criminal justice system.

Goals:

MAN’s goals are to help facilitate the following changes in Utah:

Men will better recognize that violence is not an effective form of violence management, and will behave more appropriately towards other men, women and children.
Men will take a leadership role in promoting respect and support for other men, women and children; and will effectively intervene when they are bystanders to potentially violent situations.
Men will fulfill their leadership roles in teaching boys that real strength comes through valuing, respecting and supporting others.
Men will help facilitate stronger anti-violence legislation and other public policy solutions.

Founding Committee:

Ned Searle, Director, Utah Office on Domestic and Sexual Violence
Steve Reiher, Principal, Steve Reiher & Associates; Lecturer, Utah State University
Moises Prospero, Assistant Professor, College of Social Work, University of Utah
Jerry Blackburn, Businessman, Domestic Violence Advocate
Del Bircher, Domestic Violence Administrator, Utah Division of Child and Family Services
Peter Fawson, Research Assistant, College of Social Work, University of Utah
Judy Kasten-Bell, Executive Director, Utah Domestic Violence Council
Alana Kindness, Executive Director, Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault