Men Against Violence, University of Alabama Women’s Center, Tuscaloosa, AL

Men Against Violence, University of Alabama Women’s Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
Contact Name: Melanie Miller
Phone Number: (205) 348-5040
E-mail: mlmiller@sa.ua.edu
Website: http://www.sa.ua.edu/wrc/programs/
Key Words: (1) Male only; (2) college age; (3) racially diverse; (4) university setting; (5) one-time workshops
Population served
This program is a campus-based prevention program targeting males. Most participants are college-aged males; however, the program also delivers services to local high schools. The program averages between 40 and 50 participants per month. Because of its university setting, there are usually more participants in the beginning of a semester (September and February) than in other months.
The diversity of the participants depends on the setting of the prevention program. If the program is being delivered to a general population, such as a residence hall or classroom, the participants are racially diverse. If the program is for fraternities, the population tends to be primarily white. Students are recruited through outreach on campus. Those interested in participating must go through an application and interview process.
Medium used to convey message
The primary component of the program is peer presentations on preventing male perpetration of violence. The program does not use a specific published curriculum but does have a training manual that the peer educators use.
Goals, objectives, and desired outcomes
Other than basic quantitative data to reflect the number of participants served, the program does not have clearly defined goals and objectives.
The program identified its most important service as providing education services to campus groups.
Theoretical/ scientific basis for the approach
The program is based on Alan Berkowitz’s social norms work and social change theory.
Level of evaluation
Program staff do not conduct much evaluation, but they do conduct a satisfaction survey and collect a social norms questionnaire.
Staff capacity
Student presenters deliver this program, and they receive 8 hours of formal training. The program has a coordinator who would be able to do some evaluation work. In addition, the program could potentially use graduate assistants to help with data collection and evaluation. The program currently receives Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding.