1. Regard your own actions and behaviors honestly and objectively
American culture often inundates young males with values that appreciate and propagate male dominance, rather than love, respect, and the worth of human feelings.  As males, we should be made aware of this, as well as the ultimate consequences of our own role in perpetuating these ideas, and should attempt to monitor our actions accordingly.  If we can consciously remain aware of ourselves and our interactions with others we can be better able to make adjustments that allow us to interact with women in more positive and supportive ways. 

2. Learn to recognize sexism, and challenge yourself to stop it when it occurs
Sexism can be defined as “culture’s insistence that people have to follow certain rules about how they should act, based on their gender.”  We as males should make every effort to discourage sexism and to allow people to fit into the roles that they create for themselves, rather than those that we, or society, may think appropriate. 

3. Challenge and interrupt sexist and otherwise inappropriate remarks,
    jokes, and stories
We all have been in a situation in which we have heard a joke, remark, or story that made us uncomfortable.  In a situation when this takes place, what was your reaction?  Did you laugh politely?  Did you go along with the flow in order to avoid an uncomfortable situation?  Did you speak up in order to express your distaste with the inappropriateness of the remarks? 

Most of us will probably never see a rape in progress.  However, we will all see and hear attitudes and behaviors that degrade women and that promote rape.  We all have a moral responsibility to those around us to both safeguard the rights of individuals and to make every attempt to limit the culture of male dominance that exists in America. 

4. Recognize and oppose sexual harassment and sexually
    inappropriate behavior
Sexual harassment occurs when an employee is forced to gratify the sexual appetite of someone else in order to make a living.  This may occur in a number of ways ranging from inappropriate touching or being forced to listen to vulgar or obscene jokes and comments, all the way to one person in a position of power requiring another to perform sexual favors for job retention or benefits.  Sexual harassment is often an attempt by one individual to hold power over another.  We as males can stop sexual harassment and other forms of sexually inappropriate behavior by recognizing it when it occurs and by voicing our concern or disapproval to its perpetrators.  This can very often require nothing more than a simple statement that lets the individual know that you are aware that he or she has crossed the line of appropriateness. 

5. Talk with women
In order to understand those around you, it is important to find out about them.  What better way can there be to come to understand how to interact with women than by simply spending some time getting to know them?  Ask women about their work lives, and ask how the risk of being raped affects their daily lives.  Talk with your mother, your sister, your grandmother, your girlfriend or wife, or even your coworkers about how they are treated both in and outside of the workforce, and ask them about the kinds of things that men can do to create a community of equality.  This type of communication can be beneficial in building both professional and personal relationships in that it removes uncertainty and makes sure that you and those with whom you interact are on the same page. 

6. Talk About Sex
Many of us grow up with unrealistic beliefs about sex: that we should instinctively know what to do: that we should be ready to achieve an erection instantly and maintain it for hours; and that it is unmasculine to have to talk about what gives us (or our partner) pleasure. These beliefs and others keep us from knowing our own sexuality and from enjoying our sexual relationships. Sex without discussion does not allow consent, or even minimal expectations, to be communicated. Without mutual agreement, sex becomes rape. Sex is healthy when it reflects the free and mutual sharing of one another. When we discuss what makes us comfortable and uncomfortable and try new ways to express ourselves, we also greatly reduce the risk of sexual assault.

7. Discuss your Expectations
Expectations are hopes crystallized by silence. Acting on our expectations without sufficient information can cause serious misunderstandings and can lead to rape. There is nothing wrong with feeling sexual desire, but all too often, we do not communicate our desires, find out our partner's feelings, or establish consent. Instead, we project our interest in sex onto our partner: we assume she or he feels as we do, and we misinterpret any friendliness as invitation. Establishing consent for sexual (or physical) contact at one point does not reduce the need to re-establish consent later. A person's consent to come to your apartment, to kiss you, or to touch you is not the same as consent to any other sexual acts. Neither do so-called nonverbal cues such as someone's winking at you, drinking with you, or starting to undress you imply consent for sexual intercourse. Even if we think our partner is sending us "mixed messages:" it is up to us to get clarification. Acting on our assumptions may seem more spontaneous but often leads us to be dishonest, manipulative, or to use physical force to get what we want.

8. Realize that Sexual Violence is a Men’s Issue
Do not regard the issue of sexual violence as something that affects only women.  Rape and other forms of sexual violence can have long-term repercussions on the relationships of those with whom we interact.  A number of very serious problems may result from sexual violence directed toward our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, girlfriends, and wives.  These problems, consisting of but not limited to anger, dislike of sex, anxiety, shame, nightmares, difficulty trusting others, depression, mood swings, and social withdrawal, can have very real and lasting implications on our relationships with those we love.  Therefore, we should approach gender violence as a men’s issue involving men of all ages and socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

9. Note Your Own Treatment of Women
If you are emotionally, psychologically, physically, or sexually abusive to women, or have been in the past, seek professional help immediately. 

10.  Be Cognizant of Your Surroundings
If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.