Several advocates, elected officials and supporters gathered on Thursday, March 1st, for a press conference at the Massachusetts State House to launch the 11th Annual Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign organized by Jane Doe Inc., the statewide coalition against sexual and domestic violence.
Speaker included Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Attorney General Maura Healey, Debra Robbin, JDI’s Executive Director, Diana Mancera, JDI’s Director of Membership and Programs, and Paulo Pinto, Executive Director of MAPS (Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers). Pinto is a former co-chair of the WRD Campaign and currently serves on the JDI Board of Directors.
“In order to put an end to domestic violence and sexual assault, we have […] to take leadership and show our other fellow men that they too can be part of the solution. We need […] to change our behaviors and #ReimagineManhood. This means that we need to listen more, be respectful and responsible, comfortable with our vulnerabilities and yes, be more sensitive to those around us,” said Paulo Pinto.
Debra J. Robbin, Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc., said, “This year’s campaign invites men and boys, women and girls, to promote gender equity, racial justice and healthy masculinities. Sexual and domestic violence do not occur in a vacuum and can only be prevented when we address the underlying oppressions that foster an abuse of power.”
For more information regarding Jane Doe Inc. and the White Ribbon Day campaign, please visit http://whiteribbonday.janedoe.org/