A challenge for Valley men — be courageous

This fall I attended a concert in Anchorage by the group Casting Crowns. They started their performance in dramatic fashion with the song titled “Courageous!”

We were made to be courageous

We were made to lead the way

We could be the generation

That finally breaks the chain

About the same time as the concert, I was asked to join in a campaign called Valley Men Choose Respect. This is an initiative of Alaska Family Services and part of a statewide effort led by Gov. Sean Parnell to end the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska.

Did you know that nearly 60 percent of Alaska women have either been sexually or physically assaulted, or physically threatened in their lifetime? Both boys and girls suffer from sexual abuse; 35 percent of children evaluated at child advocacy centers for sexual abuse are boys. From 2003 to 2010, the average rate of reported forcible rape was 2.5 times higher in Alaska than nationally.

We were warriors on the front lines

Standing, unafraid

But now we're watchers on the sidelines

While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?

You were made for so much more

You might be wondering why this column is in the newspaper. What does this have to do with you? The answer is this breakdown of families and the fallout from domestic violence and sexual abuse is a problem that impacts our whole community. Broken families by definition almost always experience hardship. We must all promote respect for ourselves and for others. We must break the silence and send a strong message of hope and healing to victims and survivors. It is time to get involved and work together.

This is our resolution

Our answer to the call

We will love our wives and children

We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion

That we buried deep inside

May the watchers become warriors

Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

I invite all of you, but especially the men, to join me, Alaska Family Services and other community leaders in taking a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault. Let’s unite in protecting our families and preserving our community always and in all ways.

If you would like to know the rest of the lyrics to the song “Courageous,” simply Google “courageous lyrics casting crowns” or, better yet, type those words in the YouTube search box. If you want to know more about Valley Men Choose Respect, feel free to give me a call. I’d love to talk to you about it.

Al Strawn is CEO of Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union. Contact him at al@mvfcuonline.org, or (907) 745-9140.