To you who want to help MS, here is a simple suggestion that I believe would help a lot.

Without having to identify yourself as a survivor, you could write to your local newspapers a simple announcement such as this:

To the Editor:

The sexual abuse of boys and men has been very much in the news the past two years. You may be surprised to know that there is a national organization that tries to help male survivors of childhood and adult sexual abuse, and help protect boys and men from abuse today.

MaleSurvivor.org provides a discussion board, a list of therapists for each State, and an array of papers to explain and assist boys and men who have been sexually assaulted as well as the family and friends of these good men.

If abused men and boys want to get help with the effects of their sexual abuse, or a family or friend needs advice, you can either go to the website at: http://www.malesurvivor.org, OR call the hotline at---(can't find this number just now)--or write to--(the WDC address.)

If this appeared in only a couple of dozen papers it might help men who are still suffering in silence, and it would get our name and website out to a lot of people who most likely do not know we exist.

That is just a thought--you guys can write a better letter than that, AND you do not need to identitfy as a survivor. Many papers allow you to be anonymous if you ask for that.

Bob

The phone number is 800 738-4181.

Again, you may represent yourself as someone who visits the site or has joined as a member but please be clear that you are not a spokesman or representative of the org. If you get contacted by media for an interview, you can talk about your abuse, life or whatever. Any inquiries about the organization or if they ask about talking to someone from MS, please refer them to Richard Gartner, Ph.D., past president and media spokesman.

Thanks,
Ken

I can do this. And as I am to still be traveling a great deal for several more months, I will attempt to send that letter, or a similar one, to the newspaper of each city I go to. Thank you for the suggestion.

Leosha

I sent a copy of this letter to every newpaper in Montana (both of them lol j.king). Lets all get on line and find the web pages to the papers in your state and email it to them.
James

Great idea. I am one who lacks patience though, so, rather than send a letter, I called. I spoke to a woman who works at the Boston Globe on the Spotlight Team, the very same people who broke the church scandal (and probably, inadvertantly, increased traffic to this site). She said that the Spotlight Team is an investigative group but she will look into it, specifically by visiting the site. She als transferrred me to another woman, a reporter who does Human Interest types of stories. I left a rambling message, explaining my reason for the call and left her my number. Don't know if I'll hear back from anyone but maybe they will take interest regardless.
Peace

Sinking,
Thats great man. Just please remember what we are asked when dealing with the news media:
Thats great. How many news papers do they print a day? Has to be tons and tons and tons. Thank you so very much for doing this. ((((hugs))))
James

I got a call today from one of the paper's I set this letter too. There going to print it. Thats one.
James

James - I was very clear with them that I am not a spokesperson for the site but that I have visited on numerous occassions and that I feel it provides a very necessary service. I told them that if they have questions, etc. that they should visit the board and make their contact through there. I don't know what their distributorship or readership is but I do know that it is one of the top two newspapers in the Boston area, if not the top one.
I also spoke to my counselor today about how her agency could help bring exposure to the site. Her first inclination was to see if they could add a link to the MS from her agency's webstite. She has visited here before and recognizes its value. Others here might look into the same possibility. It's a start.

^5's brother.

And a BIG Thumbs-up to you too James!!!