Film Engages Men to End Sexual Violence

A film that seeks to engage men and boys in efforts to prevent sexual violence will be screened on campus next week.

“My Masculinity Helps” will be shown 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in the Witherspoon Theater. The film was produced by Marc Grimmett, associate professor of counselor education, and documentary filmmaker David Hambridge, a 2009 graduate of NC State’s film studies program.

“One of our goals for this project was to present African-American men and boys as natural helpers, educators and allies in the prevention of sexual violence, both to serve as a model for male and African-American communities and to present a counter-narrative to often inaccurate and misleading portrayals of African-American masculinity,” Grimmett said.

In the film, African-American men and boys are presented demonstrating understanding and support for survivors of sexual violence, while also working to end rape culture.

The film was supported by the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which received a grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Grimmett was recently honored at the 2014 North Carolina Counseling Association Awards for his work on the film.

The campus screening is sponsored by the NC State Counselor Education program and Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society. Co-sponsors include the Department of Social Work, University Housing and First Year College.