As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Compliance Hui will address the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and sexual assault/sexual abuse awareness at a documentary screening and panel discussion, 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, via Zoom.
The event will begin with a partial showing of the documentary, “The Mask You Live In,” which follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity.
The protagonists in the film — pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives — confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become “real” men.
“The Mask You Live In” ultimately illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men.
The viewing will be followed by a discussion about the film’s messages with panelists from UH West Oʻahu: Beverly Baligad, Title IX Coordinator and Clery Officer; Trudy Asato, Deputy Student Title IX Coordinator and Student Conduct Officer; Stacey Kelly, RN, Campus Health Services; Steven Taketa, Clinical Psychologist; and Leslie Cabingabang, UH Confidential Advocate.
Attendees will need to register in advance to get the Zoom link.