Last year, 115 million men and women tuned in to watch the Super Bowl. 

If the audience for Super Bowl XLIX is anything like 2014, among those watching the "big game" could be as many as nine and a half million men who had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood. That’s nine and a half million men with a shared experience. 

But of course, they’ll blend right in.

They’ll include men from all walks of life: athletes and team owners, attorneys, firefighters, factory and service workers, construction and agricultural laborers, college students and retirees. There will be fathers and sons, brothers, uncles, nephews, grandfathers, best friends and maybe some men who keep to themselves.

And if all those men, and all the people who care about them happen to be watching during the first quarter of the game, they will see a PSA for the NO MORE campaign, sponsored by the NFL. The PSA encourages everyone to listen to women and men, boys and girls who find it difficult to speak up about sexual and domestic violence. They’ll be directed to the NO MORE website, which includes a link to the 1in6 website, where those nine and a half million men and their loved ones can find information, resources and support to live healthier and happier lives. 

Our partnership with NO MORE and with the Joyful Heart Foundation have time and again given us the opportunity help put the “NO MORE, ‘that doesn't happen to men”’ message front and center. And we couldn't be more grateful.  This year our partnership with both organizations should allow more men at one time than ever before to know that they are not alone and that help is available.

Will you be watching the Super Bowl?  I will, and I hope that you'll join me in applauding this unprecedented appeal to end sexual and domestic violence. 

- By Steve LePore. Steve LePore is the Founder and Executive Director of 1in6.

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 here.