In the past thirty years women have successfully organized, nationally and internationally, to move men's violence against women to the forefront of policy and health concerns. This movement is a part of a broader effort to encompass women's diverse experience and common advancement within a human rights framework.

Men's violence against women includes physical violence -- both sexual and non-sexual -- verbal, emotional and economic abuse. It is perpetrated through war, enslavement and genocide; in the workplace, the social structure and at large; and in intimate relationships. The focus of Men Stopping Violence is on ending the conditions that enable and perpetuate men's violence against women with whom they are in intimate relationships.

Men hold sexist beliefs, and these beliefs fuel their choices to assault women with whom they are partnered. Cultural norms and social and institutional practices often promote and act out of those sexist beliefs, allowing men to "get away" with their assaults. Therefore, the work of Men Stopping Violence is social change.

Men's violence against women, serving to keep a specific group (men) dominant over another (women), is one manifestation of a system of hierarchical oppression that also includes racism, classism and heterosexism. As a result, men have different tools available to use against different women -- lesbians and heterosexual women, poor and middle class women, white women and women of color. While the tools may differ, the purpose -- power and control -- is the same. Thus, justice for women cannot be achieved through ending sexism solely, but will require ending racism, classism, heterosexism and all other forms of oppression.

For statistics and other information on the prevalence and effects of men's violence against women in intimate relationships, check out the articles in our Resources section and visit the sites listed in the Related Organizations section.