Last month, 1BlueString and 1in6 had an amazing experience raising awareness for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse at this summer’s Vans Warped Tour, an annual festival featuring alternative rock music and culture. Numerous fans stopped by our booths in Pomona and Ventura, CA to learn more about the statistic that 1 in 6 men have survived unwanted sexual experiences in childhood. Many musicians were also eager to receive our free 1BlueString kit, which allows guitarists to don a blue string in support of male survivors.

We were honored to receive the support of Warped Tour artists Brian Marquis and Kevin Seconds, who were kind enough to use 1BlueString on stage and take part in interviews with our staff. As Brian Marquis noted, “there are so many things outside the music community that need help and need a voice. I think artists have the responsibility to give back by using their voice.”

Check out the the video below featuring an interview and footage of Brian Marquis performing with 1BlueString.

With the 1BlueString campaign, 1in6—and Joyful Heart—ask guitar players, at all levels, to remove their top guitar string and replace it with a free blue guitar string, to symbolize the 1in6 men who have had an unwanted or abusive sexual experience in childhood. You can learn more about the campaign and request your own string kit at 1BlueString.org.

–By George Pritzker, 1BlueString Outreach Coordinator

The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.

1in6′s mission also includes serving family members, friends and partners by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community.

Joyful Heart and 1in6 invite you to visit 1in6.org for info, options and hope, and to learn more about our partnership and Engaging Men initiative at men.joyfulheartfoundation.org.

The views expressed above are not necessarily those of the Joyful Heart Foundation or 1in6.