When Michael Sweeney's friend was raped two years ago, he felt helpless.

"She didn't report it, and I didn't know what to say to her about it, and you know, she's living with it now," Sweeney (junior-chemical engineering) said.

Sweeney, now the outreach organizer for the newly organized group Men Stopping Rape, said rape education and awareness can help friends of rape victims.

Because society often blames the victim in rape cases, Sweeney said, many people attempting to deter rape warn women of "dangerous" situations to avoid. But, he said, sexual assault educators must address the true culprits of the problem --men.

Sweeney and about 10 other students will now work toward that goal. Their group, Men Stopping Rape, recently received provisional status from the Undergraduate Student Government Supreme Court and will hold its first official meeting Monday night.

Group member Mark Impomeni (junior-biology) identified the group's goals this semester as recruiting and educating members, developing awareness programs for the Fall Semester and contributing to rape programs scheduled this semester with groups like the Center for Women Students and the USG Department of Women's Concerns.

The group's upcoming events include a showing of "The Accused" with discussion following at 8 Monday night in 304 Willard, and elections for next year's officers in two weeks, he added.

Under provisional status, the new group shares the same privileges, but not prestige, as a permanent organization. It can use University facilities, petition for a budget and be listed as an official University organization, said Undergraduate Student Government Supreme Court Chief Justice Steve Maletzky.

The group's progress will be monitored by the USG Supreme Court for 15 weeks before it can request permanent status, Maletzky added.

Several students established a Men Stopping Rape chapter here about two years ago, but the chapter fizzled when most of its members graduated or lost interest.