Action Teams (2010-11)

In Spring 2010, four Sexual Violence Prevention Action Teams were reorganized around a specific 18-month focus developed by the Leadership Team:Creating a healthy, respectful environment in Minnesota that does not sexually exploit children.

Three previous Action Teams (Framing and Messaging, Data and Research, and Policy and Legislation) worked from 2008-2010. Their accomplishments are summarized an issue of Moving Beyond Imagination.

Current Action Teams with possible goals for the 18-month period:

To join any of these action teams:

• contact>>Evelyn Anderson, evelyn.anderson@state.mn.us.

Once you are on a team's mailing list, you will receive meeting notices, minutes, and other materials and can determine your preferred level of involvement. If you are unable to attend meetings in person, conference calling can be arranged.

Also see>
• Sexual Violence Prevention Videos of the Action Team Launch.
• Sexual Violence Prevention Photos of the Action Teams.

Sexual Violence Prevention Network (SVPN)

You can join 1,800 Minnesotans in the Sexual Violence Prevention Network (SVPN). You will connect with people and organizations working to prevent sexual violence, through quarterly meetings around the state and through an electronic newsletter with information on meetings, events, and resources.

To join SVPN, contact Amy Kenzie, amy.kenzie@state.mn.us.

• For more information>>Sexual Violence Prevention Network (SVPN)

Things YOU Can Say or Do to Prevent Sexual Violence

Actions everyone can take to prevent sexual violence:

• View A Place to Start: A Resource Kit for Preventing Sexual Violence.
• Learn more about sexual violence prevention by joining the Sexual Violence Prevention Network (SVPN)
• Learn about local programs and identify the experts in your community.
• Speak out about preventing sexual violence, using your influence with:
• Children (boys and girls)
• Friends and relatives
• Co-workers
• Civic groups
• Faith communities
• Neighborhood or community groups
• Ask about policies and practices that promote safe and welcoming environments and prevent various forms of sexual violence. You may find these policies at your place of work, your place of worship, your child's school, or youth/sports groups. If you find good policies, send them to MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) so they can be shared elsewhere!
• Pay attention to messages that influence your children (magazines, TV, video games, internet). One message may seem harmless but hundreds shape our views and can influence our behavior.
• Write a letter to the editor or contact the sponsors of sexually violent messaging and marketing.
• Pay attention to the potential influence of pornography with its changing content (more violent and degrading depictions) and its reach through technology.
• Attend or arrange a presentation on sexual violence prevention to a group to which you belong (e.g., county board, employee group, book club, church, PTA).
• Present an award to an individual, organization or business in your community for its role in taking action to prevent sexual violence.
• Ask yourself:
• What am I as a dad or mom or an uncle or aunt doing to prevent sexual violence?
• How can I engage my school (PTA), church, civic organization, coworkers, block clubs in preventing sexual violence?

Actions community professionals/leaders can take to prevent sexual violence:

• View A Place to Start: A Resource Kit for Preventing Sexual Violence.
• Learn more about sexual violence prevention by joining the Sexual Violence Prevention Network (SVPN)
• Become a Prevention Champion (or recruit someone else) in your organization and county to serve as a leading voice for prevention in your county.
• Complete an assessment of resources in your organization and county that can help to stop sexual violence.
• Assess what each department or agency is currently doing related to sexual violence prevention.
• Identify strengths and gaps and present a report to the board.
• Increase awareness and understanding that sexual violence and exploitation covers the life span - from childhood sexual abuse and exploitation to elder sexual abuse.
• Sponsor training for your organization, county staff and the public as a way to raise awareness and momentum for action.
• Consider presenting the TPT 30-minute video "Stop Sexual Violence: Listen and Lead." Available from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault: 651-209-9993.
• Form a sexual violence prevention collaborative with businesses, health care, service providers, schools, law enforcement, elected officials, faith communities, and others.
• Collect county-wide data about the incidence and costs of sexual violence.
• Solicit suggestions from county staff about sexual violence prevention activities. Support local initiatives already in place.
• Provide support for public health family home visiting, which is effective in reaching high-risk populations.
• Host countywide in-service trainings about sexual violence prevention.
• Work with your County Commissioner to develop a board resolution stating the county's commitment to stopping sexual violence (see letter from Commissioner Jim McDonough).
• Ask yourself:
• What am I doing as a professional to prevent sexual violence?
• How can I use my sphere of influence in the business, government, faith, education communities to advance preventing sexual violence?

Minnesota Champions...Working Together to Prevent Sexual Violence

"Minnesota Champions" is a new initiative from MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) and Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, president of the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Commissioner McDonough shows his personal and professional commitment in a letter to county commissioners, in which he encourages all 87 counties to take action to prevent sexual violence.

Ramsey County Commissioner's Letter (PDF: 76 KB/1 page)

Also see>
• Sexual Violence Prevention Videos:Video of Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough (Action Team Lauch, June 2008).

Current County Resolutions/Plans:

Current resolutions and prevention plans created and adopted by other Minnesota counties:
Hennepin County Resolution (PDF: 27 KB/2 pages)
Ramsey County Resolution (PDF: 270 KB/3 pages)
Olmsted County Resolution (PDF: 20 KB/2 pages)
Winona County Action Plan (PDF: 52 KB/4 pages)

Three other counties are making strides as well—Douglas, St. Louis, and Wabasha. Their resolutions or plans will be posted as adopted.

For more information:

To learn how to become, or recruit others to become, sexual violence prevention champions:
• contact>Amy Kenzie, amy.kenzie@state.mn.us.

To obtain more resources and ideas:
• contact>Sexual Violence Prevention Program Staff

Imagine Minnesota when we are all working together to prevent sexual violence!

Engaging Men in Sexual Violence Prevention

The MN Men's Action Network was initiated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to build a public/private prevention effort that promotes male leadership.

To this end, a collaborative effort between MDH, Men As Peacemakers in Duluth, Minnesota, and the Gender Violence Institute in Clearwater, Minnesota has been established to develop a network of men and male leaders involved in primary prevention practices. Current efforts are being supported by MDH, the Bush Foundation, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.