Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine's 'Male Athletes Against Violence' (MAAV) will be hosting White Ribbon Campaign week from Dec. 5-9; a campaign effort focused on ending men's violence against women.

The campaign week will begin on Monday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. with a special kickoff event and press conference in the Alfond Family Lounge on the campus of the University of Maine. MAAV student coordinator Jean Point-Dujour will be on hand to introduce the campaign and share a short presentation along with fellow members of the UMaine chapter of MAAV and several male student-athletes from the Black Bear community. All are welcome to attend this event to show their support.

Throughout the week, MAAV will be distributing white ribbons by tabling on campus, and at the Men's and Women's Basketball game Wednesday night at Cross Insurance Center.

Point-Dujour helps explain the White Ribbon Campaign and why it is a focus for the members of MAAV at UMaine:

"The White Ribbon Campaign involves the distribution of white ribbons to men on our campus. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women. By establishing a week for men to visibly show that they are against the issues of rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse, we believe that MAAV can have a positibe effect on the attitudes and behaviors of men on our campus. We, the members of MAAV, are proud to be part of an international campaign by organizing this event on the University of Maine campus."

• What is the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC)?
  • The WRC is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women. It relies on volunteer support and financial contributions from individuals and organizations.
• How did the WRC get started?
  • In 1991, a handful of men in Canada decided we had a responsibility to urge men to speak out against violence against women. We decided that wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of men's opposition to men's violence against women.
• What does it mean to wear a white ribbon?
  • Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women.
• What happens during White Ribbon week?
  • We urge men and boys to wear a ribbon, including one on their coat so the ribbon will be visible at all times. We encourage men to talk in schools, workplaces, and places of worship about the problem of violence and solutions to end the threats.

For more information, please contact UMaine founder and director of MAAV, Sandra L. Caron, at 207.581.3138 or Jean Point-Dujour at

Contacting the White Ribbon Campaign
36 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 603, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R 1A1
Phone: 416.920.6684 | Toll-free: 1.800.328.2228 | Fax: 416.920.1678