Victor Rivers is not a woman.

That might be an obvious statement about the actor and former NFL football player. His experience and role of activism against domestic violence, however, sets him apart from other men, Rivers said.

"It's a common misconception that domestic violence is a women's issue," he said. "Domestic violence is everyone's issue. It affects all segments of society."

Rivers, who appeared in movies such as "The Mask of Zorro" and "The Hulk," has been a national domestic violence spokesman for the past four years and was invited by the Michigan Osteopathic Association and Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to speak with students at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine on Tuesday.

He began the presentation with his survival story.

At age 12, the Cuba native revealed his scarred body, covered in welts and burns, to local policemen. He pleaded for his family members who had been abused by his father.

"We were tied up, shoved in closets, beaten and burned," Rivers said. "But he took care not to hit us on our faces or anywhere that wouldn't be covered by clothing.

"All I ever wanted was for him to love me, but I learned that love should never hurt."

His request for help was refused in 1967 on the grounds that domestic violence was a private family matter.

"Law enforcement is now getting involved and educated more and more in efforts against domestic violence," Rivers said. "Times have changed in that way, but domestic violence cases still remain at the same level."

Carol Monson, past president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association and an MSU family and community medicine associate professor, urged students in attendance to take what Rivers said to heart and consider what they can do for the effort.

"There is a lot of interest and questions about what happens in medical offices in relation to how survivors of domestic violence should be treated," Monson said.

Patrick Hickey said Rivers presented the issue and his personal experience in a way that was easy for everyone to understand.

"Domestic violence is always something people keep in back of their mind but are afraid to talk about," the second-year osteopathic medicine student said.

Health-care providers walk a fine line and have to ask their patients personal questions, Rivers said.

"In my business of acting, there's a lot of violence," he said. "But it needs to be portrayed more in its true, ugly fashion."

Rivers also addressed the focus of the nation.

"We are trying to keep people safe around the world, but first we need to keep people safe here," he said. "The greatest act of homeland terror is domestic violence, not something that happens out on the streets."

Rivers planned to speak with Michigan legislators Tuesday evening to talk about domestic violence and the need for funding.

He said although he is an actor and athlete, he would like to leave a social footprint knowing that he helped the effort against domestic violence.

Rivers is currently writing a book about his story and experience with domestic violence. He expects a release in late fall of 2004 or spring of 2005.