Where are you, men of courage?

Safety is an illusion Al Strawn enjoyed for most of his adult life. After a boyhood spent in Oregon, he came to the Valley in 1975 — fresh out of college — to work at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.

He began to pay attention to domestic violence after seeing the film “Courageous” and hearing the band “Casting Crowns” perform in Anchorage. The contemporary Christian band opened their Anchorage show with a song titled “Courageous,” recorded and released to promote the film by the same name.

The lyrics of the song are a challenge to men to take back their place as protectors, as leaders.

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

Did you know that nearly 60 percent of Alaska women have either been sexually or physically assaulted, or physically threatened in their lifetime?

Did you know both boys and girls suffer from sexual abuse; 35 percent of children evaluated at child advocacy centers for sexual abuse are boys?

Did you know that from 2003 to 2010, the average rate of reported forcible rape was 2.5 times higher in Alaska than nationally?

These grisly statistics weren’t something Strawn understood about his state and community, until recently.

For Strawn, the final call to stand came from Donn Bennice, president and CEO of Alaska Family Services Inc., who invited Strawn to be one of eight Valley men featured in an ad campaign challenging men to Choose Respect.

“I thought about it and I prayed on it and said ‘yes,’” Strawn said.

As he considered the issue, he said he began to see breakdown of families and the fallout from domestic violence and sexual abuse as problems that impact the whole community.

“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,” he wrote in an Opinion piece printed on page A7 today.

Beyond his longtime role as Chief Executive Officer of MVFCU since 1981, Strawn also is active as a community leader in a number of ways. He serves on the board of Matanuska Telephone Association, works with United Way, and he said he recently began volunteering at Heart Reach. There, he said, he listens to young men who are struggling with life and what it means to be a good parent, a good father.

“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,” Strawn says. “Let’s unite in protecting our families and preserving our community always and in all ways.”