Eric Himan Takes a Stand!

2/25/2013

Eric Himan, musician, is taking a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault. Below he shares why he thinks it's important to be involved.

Why did you want to take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault?
I take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault because I believe everyone deserves respect when it comes to their bodies whether you are a man or a woman. Arguments can be sorted without violence.

Communities and activists worldwide are starting to recognize that sexual assault and domestic violence are not just a “women’s issue” but a human rights issue and that men play a role in stopping the violence. How do you think male role models can help get young men and boys to take an interest in and step up to help prevent and stop sexual assault and domestic violence?  

I think male role models can help by revealing that sexual assault and domestic violence happen to men as well as woman. Many communities face these issues and it is easy to think that only woman are the victims of this. I wrote a song with my friend, Lauren, a while back called, "My Decision". The song was about a sexual assault that happened to her and it seemed natural to put it in her voice but then I realized that this could just as easily happened to me. I ended up keeping it in the first person when I recorded it for my "All For Show" CD. It was hard to sing in public the first few times because I was scared how it would make me look. I felt shame and this wasn't even my experience. It took me a bit, but I became more comfortable in the idea that anyone who has faced this, male or female, must feel this way; shame for something out of their control.

 

To post comments, Click Here to Login or to sign-up click here.