C.O. men take stand against domestic violence

Saving Grace, a Central Oregon nonprofit, has teamed up with 31 male leaders in the community to fight against domestic violence. From chefs to news anchors to football players, many men are coming forward to say why they are against it.

“You know, domestic violence just shouldn’t be a part of our world and our culture,” said former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe . “Unfortunately, it has been — and it needs to change.”

The “31 Men who Care” project goes along with Saving Grace’s other campaign, “We’re Here for the ONE.”

The nonprofit says two out of three women will not be victims of abuse — but one will. They are taking a stand for that one woman.

“It can be anything from a push to a sexual assault,” Trish Meyer with Saving Grace said Wednesday.

Where there are victims, there are abusers. To stop violence, preventing people from abusing is key.

“That does not mean one in three are abusers,” Meyers said. “It’s far less than that.”

Many times, women get away from their harmful relationships and into a positive one. Saving Grace says most men are good men.

“Unfortunately, the abuser goes on to their next victim,” Meyers said.

It’s a nasty cycle that will only end once the abuse stops.

“People commonly think domestic violence is a women’s issue,” Meyers said.

However it affects everyone, from mothers to sons to sisters. Many times though, women are the ones speaking up against it.

“We now want men to stand up in the forefront and say, ‘This is why I don’t tolerate abuse in our community,'” Meyers said.

It’s a different approach, but one that could make quite an impact.

“As a member of this community and as an American male, I’m horrified that this exists,” Bledsoe said. “And it’s not something that should happen.”