So -- it's the holidays and you will be around family and friends that you may not usually see. And what if you see something that you are concerned about? What if you think someone you care about may not be in a safe relationship? Here is the big difficult question:"What do you say to someone if you are concerned that they may be in an abusive relationship?"
Here is one pretty good way that I've found to talk with someone -- granted this is my style and everyone has a different style, but it goes something like this:"You know I really care a lot about you. I've noticed you haven't been yourself lately, and that (and you would fill in here the other things you've noticed -- like that the person seems afraid of their boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife, has unexplained injuries, seems isolated, etc.). I would rather be wrong or have you mad at me for asking than ever have anything bad happen to you so I just have to check in with you and ask -- are you safe in your relationship?"
Because really, if you think about it, that is the point, isn't it? You WOULD rather be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable asking, or be wrong rather than have something bad happen to a friend of yours and not say something.
And -- so what if your friend tells you that he or she is fine? Then say "Hey, that is great. But if you ever decide you aren't ok, I want you to know my door is always open." And you may also want to add, "And if you were ever concerned that I was not safe, I would hope you would ask me the same question, right?"
Because the point is, if we really have one another's backs, we should be able to ask each other these questions.And then if you can, you may want to check in again with your family member or friend again in a few weeks just to see how things are going.
People don't always tell you right away when they are in a relationship that is not safe or good for them. It takes time and it is not easy.
For help or advice anytime, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Or for teens, check out the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline -- on the web at http://www.loveisrespect.org/ or at 1-866-331-9474.It never hurts to ask -- and it may help change or save the life of someone you care about.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Good Morning America Story - Domestic Violence Enters the Workplace
To view the story online go to http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6466718&page=1. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Domestic Violence Enters the Workplace
Get Links and Domestic Abuse Hotline Numbers Below
By JUJU CHANG, LIZ SINTAY and IMAEYEN IBANGA
Dec. 16, 2008 —
Nancy Salamone, a bride at 19, discovered just after her honeymoon that her new husband's explosive anger could be triggered by the most trivial thing.
"I put the towels in the bathroom, not the way he was used to them, and that started off an evening of screaming and yelling and being physically abused throughout the night. It was my introduction to what my marriage was going to be like," Salamone said.
The truth of her marriage stayed a dark secret. On the outside, she was a smart and confident vice president of a company, but on the inside, she was a wife who'd been battered for nearly 20 years. After one harrowing night, she decided to get out.
"At one point, he got me on the couch and his hands were around my neck. And I said to myself, 'Just close your eyes, you're going to die,'" Salamone said.
She finally sat down with her boss and asked for help.
"I very simply said, 'This has been an abusive situation, I do not know what this person is going to do.' And that I was afraid," Salamone said.
Work became a safe haven for Salamone, and experts say she is far from alone. More women are turning to the workplace for help with an abusive situation at home.
Identifying Abuse and Reaching Out
Brooke McMurray, a successful executive who long ago divorced a husband she says abused her for years, is now helping other women in the same situation.
Working with a group called Safe Horizon, McMurray teaches companies to recognize the impact of domestic violence. In additon to the obvious personal toll, it costs American businesses an estimated $6 billion a year in health care expenses, lost productivity and unworked days, according to the American Institute of Domestic Violence.
"I used to go to my office and I used to close the door, lie down on the floor and take a nap because I had been up all night being yelled at and worse," McMurray said.
"I really believe this, that once people understand what this is and what it looks like, and how it affects them, that the workplace will become safer," she continued.
For Liz Claiborne CEO Bill McComb it's not just a productivity issue. The company has long been on the frontlines of the war on domestic violence. On his second day on the job, an employee and mother of two young children, Jeanette Claudio, was shot and killed by her abusive husband in their home.
"It made me immediately ask our people, 'What more can we do?'" McComb said. "The key is companies don't have to get into the business of domestic violence counseling. They need to get in the business of letting women know the workplace is a safe haven."
Jeanette Claudio's husband, Miguel Gonzalez, was convicted of murder and is scheduled to be sentenced this Friday.
Safe Horizon works with employees and managers to spot symptoms of abuse, such as long sleeves in hot weather or wearing sunglasses indoors. And most importantly, how to give victims a safe way to get help by providing domestic violence hotline phone numbers everywhere.
"It's a matter of posters, signage and referrals to websites and numbers," McComb said. "When you see the writing on the wall, literally you stop and you think."
Twenty-one states have laws that require employers to assist victims of domestic violence by granting leave if necessary and by banning discrimination against employees who've been abused.
Providing help for domestic abuse victims is more important than ever. The National Domestic Violence Hotline says they've gotten 17,000 more calls this year than last, with many victims reporting that painful economic conditions make their abusers lash out even more.
Brooke McMurray says that for every woman who calls a help hotline, there's a woman living in danger.
"When they answer the phone at the hotline...the first thing they ask you is, 'Are you safe?' And that is the most important question, because if you are being abused you're never safe," McMurray said.
Where to Get Help for Domestic Abuse
If you're a victim, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says you should tell your supervisor and hr manager what you're going through, and ask if there are options like scheduling or assistance benefits that can help you protect yourself.
The Coalition also recommends giving security a picture of your abuser, to protect you while at work. Seventy-four percent of battered women report being harassed by their abuser while they are at work.
If you have a co-worker you suspect is being abused, the Coalition says you shouldn't confront him or her directly. Instead, express concern and a willingness to listen and be supportive.
When he or she does confide in you, encourage her to tell your supervisor and human resources. And if you witness an incident at work, call the police immediately and make sure the incident is documented.
Check out the links below for more information about domestic violence and resources.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Safe Horizon's Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
Domestic Violence Enters the Workplace
Get Links and Domestic Abuse Hotline Numbers Below
By JUJU CHANG, LIZ SINTAY and IMAEYEN IBANGA
Dec. 16, 2008 —
Nancy Salamone, a bride at 19, discovered just after her honeymoon that her new husband's explosive anger could be triggered by the most trivial thing.
"I put the towels in the bathroom, not the way he was used to them, and that started off an evening of screaming and yelling and being physically abused throughout the night. It was my introduction to what my marriage was going to be like," Salamone said.
The truth of her marriage stayed a dark secret. On the outside, she was a smart and confident vice president of a company, but on the inside, she was a wife who'd been battered for nearly 20 years. After one harrowing night, she decided to get out.
"At one point, he got me on the couch and his hands were around my neck. And I said to myself, 'Just close your eyes, you're going to die,'" Salamone said.
She finally sat down with her boss and asked for help.
"I very simply said, 'This has been an abusive situation, I do not know what this person is going to do.' And that I was afraid," Salamone said.
Work became a safe haven for Salamone, and experts say she is far from alone. More women are turning to the workplace for help with an abusive situation at home.
Identifying Abuse and Reaching Out
Brooke McMurray, a successful executive who long ago divorced a husband she says abused her for years, is now helping other women in the same situation.
Working with a group called Safe Horizon, McMurray teaches companies to recognize the impact of domestic violence. In additon to the obvious personal toll, it costs American businesses an estimated $6 billion a year in health care expenses, lost productivity and unworked days, according to the American Institute of Domestic Violence.
"I used to go to my office and I used to close the door, lie down on the floor and take a nap because I had been up all night being yelled at and worse," McMurray said.
"I really believe this, that once people understand what this is and what it looks like, and how it affects them, that the workplace will become safer," she continued.
For Liz Claiborne CEO Bill McComb it's not just a productivity issue. The company has long been on the frontlines of the war on domestic violence. On his second day on the job, an employee and mother of two young children, Jeanette Claudio, was shot and killed by her abusive husband in their home.
"It made me immediately ask our people, 'What more can we do?'" McComb said. "The key is companies don't have to get into the business of domestic violence counseling. They need to get in the business of letting women know the workplace is a safe haven."
Jeanette Claudio's husband, Miguel Gonzalez, was convicted of murder and is scheduled to be sentenced this Friday.
Safe Horizon works with employees and managers to spot symptoms of abuse, such as long sleeves in hot weather or wearing sunglasses indoors. And most importantly, how to give victims a safe way to get help by providing domestic violence hotline phone numbers everywhere.
"It's a matter of posters, signage and referrals to websites and numbers," McComb said. "When you see the writing on the wall, literally you stop and you think."
Twenty-one states have laws that require employers to assist victims of domestic violence by granting leave if necessary and by banning discrimination against employees who've been abused.
Providing help for domestic abuse victims is more important than ever. The National Domestic Violence Hotline says they've gotten 17,000 more calls this year than last, with many victims reporting that painful economic conditions make their abusers lash out even more.
Brooke McMurray says that for every woman who calls a help hotline, there's a woman living in danger.
"When they answer the phone at the hotline...the first thing they ask you is, 'Are you safe?' And that is the most important question, because if you are being abused you're never safe," McMurray said.
Where to Get Help for Domestic Abuse
If you're a victim, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says you should tell your supervisor and hr manager what you're going through, and ask if there are options like scheduling or assistance benefits that can help you protect yourself.
The Coalition also recommends giving security a picture of your abuser, to protect you while at work. Seventy-four percent of battered women report being harassed by their abuser while they are at work.
If you have a co-worker you suspect is being abused, the Coalition says you shouldn't confront him or her directly. Instead, express concern and a willingness to listen and be supportive.
When he or she does confide in you, encourage her to tell your supervisor and human resources. And if you witness an incident at work, call the police immediately and make sure the incident is documented.
Check out the links below for more information about domestic violence and resources.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Safe Horizon's Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Allstate Foundation DV Program Awards Over Half A Million - Financial Empowerment Grants Aid Survivors
With everyone across the country feeling a pinch in their pocket book, The Allstate Foundation is focusing its attention on easing the financial burden too often faced by domestic violence survivors. As a part of its continued effort, the Foundation recently awarded $552,000 in economic empowerment grants to domestic violence coalitions in nine states.
The grants will be used to support a variety of local programs focused on developing strategies to move survivors toward financial independence. The grantees’ work will center on Individual Development Accounts (IDA), micro-enterprise, financial literacy, and job readiness activities.
“The Allstate Foundation is committed to empowering survivors of domestic violence, by providing them with the tools and resources that enable them to achieve economic independence,” said Michele Coleman Mayes, Allstate Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Our goal is to work with advocates through statewide and local initiatives, helping them to work with survivors to build financial skills, which are critical during these financially turbulent times. Through our Economic Empowerment grants, we continue to help survivors work toward safe and economically secure futures.”
In partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund, The Allstate Foundation Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors Program provides knowledge and skills – particularly those related to financial security and economic empowerment – to support survivors of domestic violence. The grants are just one of the elements of The Allstate Foundation Program, which has provided more than $4,500,000 in funding to national and state domestic violence organizations since its launch in 2005.
“Women with financial skills have an increased chance of getting away from an abusive situation and sustaining themselves and their families on a long-term basis,” according to Sue Else, President of NNEDV. “The Allstate Foundation is integral in assisting women to achieve financial independence – it provides critical resources and financial support to create innovative programs that directly help survivors face the tough economic challenges of beginning a new life, free from violence.”
Domestic violence survivors often face significant financial obstacles stemming from their abuse. These problems are heightened in times of economic downturn, making it increasingly more difficult to escape an abusive relationship. Many survivors have been prohibited from entering the workforce or from pursuing higher education and job training activities, or must repair credit damage caused by their abuser. Through initiatives like the Education and Job Training Assistance Fund, which provides micro-grants to survivors helping them to achieve their educational and professional goals, and the financial empowerment curriculum that is being implemented in programs across the country, The Allstate Foundation is filling a gap in domestic violence funding and resource provision.
The nine new grants were awarded to the following state domestic violence coalitions, to enhance already existing economic empowerment programs or build new ones throughout their respective states:
· Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $55,000
· Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence awarded $52,000
· Kentucky Domestic Violence Association awarded $100,000
· Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence awarded $80,000
· New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $50,000
· New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $60,000
· Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence awarded $50,000
· Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $55,000
· Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $50,000
About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote “safe and vital communities”; “tolerance, inclusion, and diversity”; and “economic empowerment.” The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream. For additional information, visit www.clicktoempower.org.
About the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions. The NNEDV Fund is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. The NNEDV Fund accomplishes these goals through capacity building for coalitions, public education, training, and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information about the NNEDV Fund, visit www.nnedv.org.
I LOVE these guys -- and for purposes of full disclosure I have to say I am on their national advisory board and Allstat is a CAEPV member. . . but I LOVE the idea of providing the economic "leg up" that survivors of domestic violence need to move forward in very practical ways. I have been involved in helping accomplish this for someone and seen how it works and it really is real money put to a real, practical purpose. Allstate Foundation - you people rock!
The grants will be used to support a variety of local programs focused on developing strategies to move survivors toward financial independence. The grantees’ work will center on Individual Development Accounts (IDA), micro-enterprise, financial literacy, and job readiness activities.
“The Allstate Foundation is committed to empowering survivors of domestic violence, by providing them with the tools and resources that enable them to achieve economic independence,” said Michele Coleman Mayes, Allstate Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Our goal is to work with advocates through statewide and local initiatives, helping them to work with survivors to build financial skills, which are critical during these financially turbulent times. Through our Economic Empowerment grants, we continue to help survivors work toward safe and economically secure futures.”
In partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund, The Allstate Foundation Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors Program provides knowledge and skills – particularly those related to financial security and economic empowerment – to support survivors of domestic violence. The grants are just one of the elements of The Allstate Foundation Program, which has provided more than $4,500,000 in funding to national and state domestic violence organizations since its launch in 2005.
“Women with financial skills have an increased chance of getting away from an abusive situation and sustaining themselves and their families on a long-term basis,” according to Sue Else, President of NNEDV. “The Allstate Foundation is integral in assisting women to achieve financial independence – it provides critical resources and financial support to create innovative programs that directly help survivors face the tough economic challenges of beginning a new life, free from violence.”
Domestic violence survivors often face significant financial obstacles stemming from their abuse. These problems are heightened in times of economic downturn, making it increasingly more difficult to escape an abusive relationship. Many survivors have been prohibited from entering the workforce or from pursuing higher education and job training activities, or must repair credit damage caused by their abuser. Through initiatives like the Education and Job Training Assistance Fund, which provides micro-grants to survivors helping them to achieve their educational and professional goals, and the financial empowerment curriculum that is being implemented in programs across the country, The Allstate Foundation is filling a gap in domestic violence funding and resource provision.
The nine new grants were awarded to the following state domestic violence coalitions, to enhance already existing economic empowerment programs or build new ones throughout their respective states:
· Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $55,000
· Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence awarded $52,000
· Kentucky Domestic Violence Association awarded $100,000
· Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence awarded $80,000
· New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $50,000
· New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $60,000
· Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence awarded $50,000
· Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $55,000
· Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $50,000
About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote “safe and vital communities”; “tolerance, inclusion, and diversity”; and “economic empowerment.” The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream. For additional information, visit www.clicktoempower.org.
About the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions. The NNEDV Fund is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. The NNEDV Fund accomplishes these goals through capacity building for coalitions, public education, training, and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information about the NNEDV Fund, visit www.nnedv.org.
I LOVE these guys -- and for purposes of full disclosure I have to say I am on their national advisory board and Allstat is a CAEPV member. . . but I LOVE the idea of providing the economic "leg up" that survivors of domestic violence need to move forward in very practical ways. I have been involved in helping accomplish this for someone and seen how it works and it really is real money put to a real, practical purpose. Allstate Foundation - you people rock!
Monday, December 08, 2008
Avon Foundation "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence" Video Available On You Tube
The Avon Foundation has produced a wonderful five minute video called "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence" featuring people sharing their personal stories.
To view the video, just head to You Tube, and check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXF73_7Phj4.
And. . .pass it on!
Thanks -
Kim
Friday, December 05, 2008
SAFEWORK 2010 ADDS TORY JOHNSON, CEO OF WOMEN FOR HIRE, TO ITS ROSTER!
We are pleased to announce that Tory Johnson, CEO of Women For Hire has just taken the SafeWork 2010 Pledge!
Women For Hire (WFH) was founded in 1999 as the first and only company devoted to a comprehensive array of recruitment services for women. Women For Hire offers signature career expos, inspiring speeches and seminars, a popular career-focused magazine, customized marketing programs, and an online job board that helps leading employers connect with top-notch professional women in all fields.
The company’s core business is producing the nation’s only high caliber career expos, thus enabling America's top employers to meet one-on-one with a coveted pool of talented women in all disciplines. These events pair recruiters from a mix of Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies with women in a wide range of disciplines.
Tory Johnson, CEO of WFH, also serves as the Workplace Contributor for Good Morning America, an anchor of Home Work on ABC News Now (digital) and a columnist for ABCnews.com and Hotjobs.com. She is also the author of four books: Women For Hire: The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job; Women For Hire’s Get-Ahead Guide to Career Success; Take This Book to Work: How to Ask For (and Get) Money, Fulfillment, and Advancement; Will Work From Home: Earn Cash Without the Commute (New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller).
To view the growing list of CEOs who have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, click here.
And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
Women For Hire (WFH) was founded in 1999 as the first and only company devoted to a comprehensive array of recruitment services for women. Women For Hire offers signature career expos, inspiring speeches and seminars, a popular career-focused magazine, customized marketing programs, and an online job board that helps leading employers connect with top-notch professional women in all fields.
The company’s core business is producing the nation’s only high caliber career expos, thus enabling America's top employers to meet one-on-one with a coveted pool of talented women in all disciplines. These events pair recruiters from a mix of Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies with women in a wide range of disciplines.
Tory Johnson, CEO of WFH, also serves as the Workplace Contributor for Good Morning America, an anchor of Home Work on ABC News Now (digital) and a columnist for ABCnews.com and Hotjobs.com. She is also the author of four books: Women For Hire: The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job; Women For Hire’s Get-Ahead Guide to Career Success; Take This Book to Work: How to Ask For (and Get) Money, Fulfillment, and Advancement; Will Work From Home: Earn Cash Without the Commute (New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller).
To view the growing list of CEOs who have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, click here.
And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
EVER WONDER WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP DATING ABUSE? SIGN A PETITION!
If you are a parent or ANYONE concerned about healthy relationships for teens and tweens, here is something proactive you can do -- be part of a new grassroots movement called MADE – Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse.
The purpose of Mom and Dads for Education (MADE) to Stop Teen Dating Abuse is to build a coalition of parents, teachers and concerned citizens who are advocates for ensuring that every middle school and high school in the country is teaching a curriculum on preventing dating relationship violence and abuse.
MADE is inspired by the courageous and dedicated parents whose children have been victims of dating violence and abuse and because of their children’s painful and tragic experiences, are now committed to mobilizing parents across the nation to spearhead sustained education efforts in schools.
The coalition aims to strengthen the pathways to healthy dating relationships, protect our children’s future and take the essential steps to break the cycle of relationship violence. The coalition is organizing to support the 50 State Attorneys General who have endorsed a teen dating violence resolution and have committed to introducing curriculum on dating violence education in their states’ schools.
In addition to the online petition, MADE has a wealth of resources including a downloadable toolkit of fact sheets, a letter for schools, letter for government officials, and more.
Please take a moment to check it out and sign the petition. You can make a real difference in the lives of the next generation of young people in the US.
And please. . .pass this on!
The purpose of Mom and Dads for Education (MADE) to Stop Teen Dating Abuse is to build a coalition of parents, teachers and concerned citizens who are advocates for ensuring that every middle school and high school in the country is teaching a curriculum on preventing dating relationship violence and abuse.
MADE is inspired by the courageous and dedicated parents whose children have been victims of dating violence and abuse and because of their children’s painful and tragic experiences, are now committed to mobilizing parents across the nation to spearhead sustained education efforts in schools.
The coalition aims to strengthen the pathways to healthy dating relationships, protect our children’s future and take the essential steps to break the cycle of relationship violence. The coalition is organizing to support the 50 State Attorneys General who have endorsed a teen dating violence resolution and have committed to introducing curriculum on dating violence education in their states’ schools.
In addition to the online petition, MADE has a wealth of resources including a downloadable toolkit of fact sheets, a letter for schools, letter for government officials, and more.
Please take a moment to check it out and sign the petition. You can make a real difference in the lives of the next generation of young people in the US.
And please. . .pass this on!
CONGRATULATIONS -- YOU CLICKED TO $300,000!
Thank you for faithfully supporting The Allstate Foundation Click to Empower Campaign – we have reached our 300,000 goal!! The program launched on January 16, 2008 and in less than a year, we have all “clicked” to 300,000.
Each time you clicked, you were part of a providing $1 donated by The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program to the Education and Job Training Assistance (EJTA) Fund. The EJTA Fund helps domestic violence survivors pursue long-term financial security by providing vital financial assistance for education, training and job-related expenses. The EJTA Fund is quite unique and provides access to books and supplies for school, job-training skills, certification fees, tuition, registration fees, childcare, and more! I have personally seen the EJTA Fund in action – and seen first-hand what a difference it can make in the life of a victim of domestic violence who is trying to gain long-term financial security. Believe me, it works! Thank you for clicking – and for making a difference!
(P.S. You can still visit the site to spread the word to your friends on raising awareness for domestic violence and hear inspirational stories from survivors. And . . . .in the next few months, remember to visit http://www.clicktoempower.org/ to see the redesigned Web site and check out The Allstate Foundation’s new initiatives!)
Monday, December 01, 2008
It's Time To Talk Day - December 2, 2008
Liz Claiborne Inc. and its partners (the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence, loveisrespect.org, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, Redbook magazine, and Seventeen magazine) join forces for It's Time to Talk Day on December 2, 2008 as a way to encourage greater public dialogue about domestic violence. Around the country, talk radio, government officials, domestic violence advocates, businesses, schools and the public-at-large will take a moment - or more - to talk openly about an issue that affects nearly one in three women at some point in their lifetime. In fact, millions of talk radio listeners around the country were reached with the message since the inception of It’s Time To Talk Day in 2004.
Take a moment to talk about domestic violence:
- At work, ask your employer to address this issue and help employees who are in need by putting domestic violence hotline numbers in common spaces (i.e. lunch rooms, bathrooms, bulletin boards).
- Ask at your local school to see if the issue of dating violence is being addressed and urge them to adopt the Love Is Not Abuse curriculum to prevent teen dating violence.
- Contact your local domestic violence organization to find out what they need – beyond money, they might need household goods, toys, cloths and other things you might be able to provide.
Click here for more ideas on how you can get involved.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thankful
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the United States and I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. I have a home and a job and enough to eat and I am healthy and I have wonderful friends and extended family.
I am especially thankful that I am safe and secure and loved in my own home. I am not afraid of what may happen when I walk through my door - or when my husband walks through the door. I look forward to seeing him and sharing our day every day. He is an amazing and wonderful individual and I am thankful to God each and every day for the gift of having him in my life.
But - I know this security and safety and love at home is not true for far to many people in the US - and around the world.
On November 25, many around the world observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It also marked the beginning of the United Nations’ Sixteen Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender Based Violence. The campaign which culminates with International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2008.
This lack of being safe and secure and loved takes many forms for many around the world -- whether domestic abuse, sexual assault, sex trafficking, harmful cultural practices, or abuse in the context of war and conflict.
So as I am being thankful for my home and family and my wonderful husband, I remember those who are not so safe, and I join with the rest of our world to do what I can to make a difference for them where I can and when I can.
I am especially thankful that I am safe and secure and loved in my own home. I am not afraid of what may happen when I walk through my door - or when my husband walks through the door. I look forward to seeing him and sharing our day every day. He is an amazing and wonderful individual and I am thankful to God each and every day for the gift of having him in my life.
But - I know this security and safety and love at home is not true for far to many people in the US - and around the world.
On November 25, many around the world observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It also marked the beginning of the United Nations’ Sixteen Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender Based Violence. The campaign which culminates with International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2008.
This lack of being safe and secure and loved takes many forms for many around the world -- whether domestic abuse, sexual assault, sex trafficking, harmful cultural practices, or abuse in the context of war and conflict.
So as I am being thankful for my home and family and my wonderful husband, I remember those who are not so safe, and I join with the rest of our world to do what I can to make a difference for them where I can and when I can.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Fortunate Magazine Article on Domestic Violence and the Workplace Now Online
Hello everyone!
The online version of the Fortune article on the impact of domestic violence on the workplace is now available -- it can be viewed at http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/18/news/Domestic_violence_morris.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008112008.
Again -- kudos and thanks to Senior Editor Betsy Morris for such a wonderful article. Please take the time to read it and pass along to others.
Perhaps with Fortune paying attention to such an issue this will truly make a difference for some in Corporate America who had never considered considered the issue of domestic violence and the workplace before.
The online version of the Fortune article on the impact of domestic violence on the workplace is now available -- it can be viewed at http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/18/news/Domestic_violence_morris.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008112008.
Again -- kudos and thanks to Senior Editor Betsy Morris for such a wonderful article. Please take the time to read it and pass along to others.
Perhaps with Fortune paying attention to such an issue this will truly make a difference for some in Corporate America who had never considered considered the issue of domestic violence and the workplace before.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Leading Corporations Develop National Plan to Engage Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to Address Domestic Violence in the Workplace
This unprecedented initiative focuses on leveraging resources of EAPs to help employers better assist domestic violence victims at work.Today, major employers such as Gap Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Liz Claiborne Inc., Macy’s and Verizon Wireless, along with leading EAP providers including Ceridian, CIGNA, Magellan Health Services, OptumHealth, ValueOptions and others, announced a new national plan to help employers make better use of EAPs to better assist employees who are victims of domestic violence. The plan, called the S2 Blueprint for Action, outlines the significant advancements that employers and EAPs can implement to increase the level of support and assistance to victims, including:
- Making the business case to CEOs, including the cost to business, liability issues, legal mandates, employee engagement and corporate social responsibility
- Managing the workplace environment, including developing and implementing a comprehensive domestic violence policy, positioning the EAP as a valued and effective resource, and changing communications to include domestic violence prevention in the promotion of health and well-being of employees
- Encouraging employers and brokers to ask about an EAP’s capabilities for identifying and addressing domestic violence issues for the workforce when soliciting proposals, and encouraging EAPs to proactively share their domestic violence programs as value-added strategies for employers when bidding for their business.
- Integrating the expertise of the domestic violence service providers into the referral network offered by the EAP to the employer and providing those resources on brochures, posters, etc., in addition to the EAP.
The plan, developed at a major conference in San Francisco, is the first effort designed to leverage the work of EAPs to address domestic violence as a workplace issue. The S2 Blueprint for Action is available at http://www.caepv.org/about/program_detail.php?refID=35. The conference was organized by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV).
“We have engaged a powerful national collaboration through the S2 Blueprint,” said Kim Wells, executive director for the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. “This is the first time employers and EAPs have come together to address domestic violence as an issue that affects productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, healthcare costs and workplace safety. If employers and EAPs can address these issues, they will provide a true ‘value-added’ service in this difficult economy. ”
Research conducted by the CAEPV indicates that 21 percent of full-time employees are victims of domestic violence. Sixty-four (64) percent of these employees indicated their ability to work was impacted by the abuse going on at home. Among key causes for their decline in productivity, victims noted "distraction" (57%); "fear of discovery" (45%); "harassment by intimate partner at work (either by phone or in person)" (40%); fear of intimate partner's unexpected visits" (34%); "inability to complete assignments on time" (24%); and "job loss" (21%).
CAEPV is promoting the S2 Blueprint for Action, and attendees will participate in a webinar in February 2009, to evaluate their progress and determine next steps. The conference highlighted various ways that well-equipped EAPs can be used to assist domestic victims effectively and economically including:
- Presenting workplace education programs on issues such as recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Providing resources including referrals to services such as counseling or legal assistance that can help a victim maintain stability while working.
- Guiding managers in how to best assist employees who they think may be victims of domestic violence.
- Being a valuable part of the “domestic violence response team” that includes management, human resources, security and the EAP to proactively address domestic violence cases impacting the workplace.
The S2 – Smarter, Safer Workplace Conference took place on Friday, November 7 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.caepv.org/about/program_detail.php?refID=35.
About the S2 – Safer, Smarter Workplace Conference
The S2 – Safer, Smarter Workplace conference was presented by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. This conference was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with additional support provided by The Allstate Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, CALCASA, Health Care Service Corporation and Texas Health Resources. The Technology Sponsor for the conference was the Verizon Foundation.
The conference planning workgroup includes representatives from the following organizations: Chestnut Global Partners; CIGNA; Gap Inc.; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Macy’s West; Magellan Health Services; OptumHealth.
Ok -- the Blueprint is started, the employers and EAPs worked together with incredible energy and enthusiasm along with researchers, those from the domestic violence field, foundations, and many others. We will see what comes next! If you want to check out the "S2 Blueprint" or any of the presentations from the conference, they are all on our website at the link above.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Fortune Magazine November 24, 2008 Issue Addresses Domestic Violence
The November 24, 2008, issue of Fortune magazine contains an article titled "Domestic Violence: Corporate America’s struggle to confront the issue." Fortune is the first such business magazine to cover the issue in this way, and they are to be congratulated for the time and effort taken to put a human face on this business issue.
Great thanks to the writer, Betsy Morris, for her tireless efforts. Coverage includes CAEPV members Allstate, Liz Claiborne, Safe Horizon, Verizon Wireless, and the Sam Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas.
Above all, the stories of those who have survived (and not survived) domestic violence are told. The online version of the article will be available the week of November 17.
Pick it up, or read it online, and let me know what you think!
Great thanks to the writer, Betsy Morris, for her tireless efforts. Coverage includes CAEPV members Allstate, Liz Claiborne, Safe Horizon, Verizon Wireless, and the Sam Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas.
Above all, the stories of those who have survived (and not survived) domestic violence are told. The online version of the article will be available the week of November 17.
Pick it up, or read it online, and let me know what you think!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Leading Corporations Engage Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to Combat Domestic Violence in the Workplace
This unprecedented initiative focuses on leveraging resources of EAPs and employers to better assist employees affected by domestic violence.
On November 6 and 7, major employers such as Verizon Wireless, Liz Claiborne Inc., Macy’s, and Gap Inc., along with leading EAP providers including CIGNA, OptumBehavioral Health, ValueOptions and others will work together to create a new national plan to help employers make better use of EAPs to help employees who are victims of domestic violence. The plan, called the S2 Blueprint for Action, will outline the significant advancements that employers and EAPs can move forward during the next one to three years to increase the level of support and assistance to employees involved in domestic violence.
The plan is the first such effort designed to leverage the work of EAPs and employers in responding to domestic violence in the workplace. During this fragile economic time, tapping existing resources to assist employees who are victims of domestic violence is critically important. The conference was organized by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV).
Research conducted by the CAEPV indicates that 21 percent of full-time employees are victims of domestic violence. Sixty-four (64) percent of these employees indicated their ability to work was impacted by the abuse going on at home. Among key causes for their decline in productivity, victims noted "distraction" (57%); "fear of discovery" (45%); "harassment by intimate partner at work (either by phone or in person)" (40%); fear of intimate partner's unexpected visits" (34%); "inability to complete assignments on time" (24%); and "job loss" (21%).
CAEPV is promoting the S2 Blueprint for Action, and attendees will participate in a webinar in February 2009, to evaluate their progress and determine next steps. The conference highlighted various ways that well-equipped EAPs can be used to assist domestic victims effectively and economically including:
The plan is the first such effort designed to leverage the work of EAPs and employers in responding to domestic violence in the workplace. During this fragile economic time, tapping existing resources to assist employees who are victims of domestic violence is critically important. The conference was organized by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV).
Research conducted by the CAEPV indicates that 21 percent of full-time employees are victims of domestic violence. Sixty-four (64) percent of these employees indicated their ability to work was impacted by the abuse going on at home. Among key causes for their decline in productivity, victims noted "distraction" (57%); "fear of discovery" (45%); "harassment by intimate partner at work (either by phone or in person)" (40%); fear of intimate partner's unexpected visits" (34%); "inability to complete assignments on time" (24%); and "job loss" (21%).
CAEPV is promoting the S2 Blueprint for Action, and attendees will participate in a webinar in February 2009, to evaluate their progress and determine next steps. The conference highlighted various ways that well-equipped EAPs can be used to assist domestic victims effectively and economically including:
- EAPs can present workplace education programs on issues such as recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- EAPs can provide resources including referrals to services such as counseling or legal assistance that can help a victim maintain stability while working.
- EAPs can guide managers in how to best assist employees who they think may be victims of domestic violence.
- EAPs can be a valuable part of the “domestic violence response team” that includes management, human resources, security and the EAP to proactively address domestic violence cases impacting the workplace.
A powerful national collaboration will be engaged through the S2 - Safer, Smarter Workplace Conference. This is the first time employers and EAPs will come together to address domestic violence as an issue that affects productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, healthcare costs and workplace safety. If employers and EAPs can strategically address these issues, they will provide a true "value-added" service in this difficult economy.
The S2 – Smarter, Safer Workplace Conference takes place November 6 and 7 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.caepv.org/about/program_detail.php?refID=35.
About the S2 – Safer, Smarter Workplace Conference
The S2 – Safer, Smarter Workplace conference is presented by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. This conference was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with additional support provided by The Allstate Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, CALCASA, Health Care Service Corporation and Texas Health Resources.
The Technology Sponsor for the conference is the Verizon Foundation.
The conference planning workgroup includes representatives from the following organizations: Chestnut Global Partners; CIGNA; Gap Inc.; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Macy’s West; Magellan Health Services; OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Creating a Safer, Smarter Workplace - Addressing Domestic Violence
Things sure have been busy here. . .yesterday we held The Allstate Foundation Pre-Conference Webinar for the S2 – Safer, Smarter Workplace Conference. It was great. . we had employers and EAPs and researchers and others from all over the country at all levels of expertise regarding domestic violence as a workplace issue participating in this interactive 2 hour forum.
We are going to have so much going on at the S2 conference that we really wanted to make sure we have everyone on the same page before we get there, so we did the “pre-conference webinar” to get the business case made for employers and EAPs regarding domestic violence.
And because of the interactive text chat feature (thank you CALCASA) people could chime in with things like “Don’t forget it happens to men and same-sex relationships. . .” and people could make connections and discuss in the midst of the presentations.
In spite of travel restrictions which are REALLY affecting businesses, we are going to have a great turnout for this first of its kind conference. And we will be “unveiling” new research on the topic of domestic violence and EAPs. . .and the people at the webinar were very enthused about that.
We’ll also be presenting real life practices from employers and EAPs working together who are working together “on the ground” right now to effectively assist employees. And we will showcase some case studies of real situations and how the companies dealt with those from HR, Security, EAP, etc. . .so we can all see the different ways different employers and EAPs help employees dealing with domestic violence.
And we will be creating a “blueprint for action”. . .next steps EAPs and employers can take to really make a difference.
And because of the interactive text chat feature (thank you CALCASA) people could chime in with things like “Don’t forget it happens to men and same-sex relationships. . .” and people could make connections and discuss in the midst of the presentations.
In spite of travel restrictions which are REALLY affecting businesses, we are going to have a great turnout for this first of its kind conference. And we will be “unveiling” new research on the topic of domestic violence and EAPs. . .and the people at the webinar were very enthused about that.
We’ll also be presenting real life practices from employers and EAPs working together who are working together “on the ground” right now to effectively assist employees. And we will showcase some case studies of real situations and how the companies dealt with those from HR, Security, EAP, etc. . .so we can all see the different ways different employers and EAPs help employees dealing with domestic violence.
And we will be creating a “blueprint for action”. . .next steps EAPs and employers can take to really make a difference.
And then it hits you right at home why you are doing this. . . a 19 year old young woman in a small community very near here was killed in a domestic violence situation here on Tuesday.
That is why we are having the "Silent Witness" display from Kaiser Permanente there at the conference. . .to make sure we all remember exactly why we are there. And who we are there for.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Day of Heroes
I met a lot of heroes yesterday.
One of them is a survivor. She left her batterer before he killed her. She just bought her first house. She is making a new, good life for her children. She is speaking out – even though it is hard – because she believes that the more you speak out, the more you heal. And she wants to help someone else know they can make it, too. Because she did.
One of them was a 911 dispatch officer. He takes domestic violence and sexual assault calls on a regular basis. But never becomes jaded. And is always worried about what happens to the people afterwards.
One of them is a police detective who investigates child abuse. He makes sure everyone knows that the most important thing is not what the police need or what the state’s attorney needs or what child protective services needs. . . but what the child needs. Someone asked him how he copes with his job. . .he said he cannot watch the “child drama” movies on t.v.
One of them was a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Nurse. She was so compassionate and kind and passionate in her presentation, and so wonderful in explaining to people who have never considered a rape kit – or what happens when a victim of sexual assault comes into the hospital. She cares deeply for the hurting women that she helps. She tells every woman who comes into the ER to see her how incredibly brave she is.
One of them is an assistant state’s attorney. She often has to prosecute domestic violence cases when a victim does not want her to. But she understands why. . .who would want to testify against someone sitting 10 feet away from you who has just beaten you up . . .and can do it again? She did a wonderful job explaining this to people during a “mock trial” – a trial with a jury pulled from the audience so people could see what happens in a real case . . . and why domestic violence cases can be so hard.
One of them is a survivor. At the end of the day, she read a beautiful poem in honor of a woman in our community who was recently killed in a domestic violence situation. Her poem was amazing. . . and so was she.
I met many more heroes yesterday – men and women from all over Central Illinois doing amazing things to help families know that “Once You Phone, You’re Not Alone.” People in the media who took time to do stories, to be there, to help, to make a difference. People in organizations who spent hours making this possible. And people who just cared.
And at the end of it all I know this. I know there are people who will no longer feel alone as a result of something they heard or saw yesterday – all because of these heroes.
One of them is a survivor. She left her batterer before he killed her. She just bought her first house. She is making a new, good life for her children. She is speaking out – even though it is hard – because she believes that the more you speak out, the more you heal. And she wants to help someone else know they can make it, too. Because she did.
One of them was a 911 dispatch officer. He takes domestic violence and sexual assault calls on a regular basis. But never becomes jaded. And is always worried about what happens to the people afterwards.
One of them is a police detective who investigates child abuse. He makes sure everyone knows that the most important thing is not what the police need or what the state’s attorney needs or what child protective services needs. . . but what the child needs. Someone asked him how he copes with his job. . .he said he cannot watch the “child drama” movies on t.v.
One of them was a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Nurse. She was so compassionate and kind and passionate in her presentation, and so wonderful in explaining to people who have never considered a rape kit – or what happens when a victim of sexual assault comes into the hospital. She cares deeply for the hurting women that she helps. She tells every woman who comes into the ER to see her how incredibly brave she is.
One of them is an assistant state’s attorney. She often has to prosecute domestic violence cases when a victim does not want her to. But she understands why. . .who would want to testify against someone sitting 10 feet away from you who has just beaten you up . . .and can do it again? She did a wonderful job explaining this to people during a “mock trial” – a trial with a jury pulled from the audience so people could see what happens in a real case . . . and why domestic violence cases can be so hard.
One of them is a survivor. At the end of the day, she read a beautiful poem in honor of a woman in our community who was recently killed in a domestic violence situation. Her poem was amazing. . . and so was she.
I met many more heroes yesterday – men and women from all over Central Illinois doing amazing things to help families know that “Once You Phone, You’re Not Alone.” People in the media who took time to do stories, to be there, to help, to make a difference. People in organizations who spent hours making this possible. And people who just cared.
And at the end of it all I know this. I know there are people who will no longer feel alone as a result of something they heard or saw yesterday – all because of these heroes.
To see more about yesterday, visit http://www.caepv.org/about/program_detail.php?refID=39
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
October 15 - A Time to Talk About Domestic Violence in Central Illinois
October 15 has been designated as “It’s Time to Talk Day” throughout Central Illinois. Thanks to our CAEPV members located in this area for their partnership with local agencies and organizations involved in this effort! It is amazing!
Wouldn’t it be great to have a single day where we turn to one another and actually talk about two issues that you may not realize are more common than breast cancer? These issues, by their nature, make people uncomfortable – domestic violence and SEXUAL ASSAULT.
The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence, in partnership with 30 other local organizations and Liz Claiborne Inc., as designated October 15, 2008, as “It’s Time to Talk Day” in Central Illinois, hoping to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and get people talking about these pervasive social issues.
This year’s theme for “It’s Time to Talk Day” is Once You Phone, You’re Not Alone—encouraging individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault to pick up the phone and reach out for assistance. Participating community organizations hope to educate the community on local resources available for victims, survivors and their families while also removing questions about what happens after a call to 911, a crisis hotline or a report to the hospital following abuse.
Among the highlighted events happening throughout “It’s Time to Talk Day” is a free conference featuring experts discussing the impact of domestic violence and sexual assault on individuals at different stages of the lifespan. The conference, “Once You Phone, You’re Not Alone: Reporting and Responding to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” will be held at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Memorial Center on October 15 and will introduce attendees to local first responders.
McLean County State’s Attorney Bill Yoder said “This conference along with all of the day’s events are important to help educate the community in understanding the working relationships among emergency responders, the police, prosecutors, and community agencies who work together to assist victims of domestic abuse in our community at the most vulnerable time in their lives. When a victim phones, we all work together to ensure she is not alone.”
The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting “People vs. Perry – A Mock Trial” at the McLean County Museum of History in Downtown Bloomington at 6:00PM on October 15. This event, also free and open to the public, illustrates a case of domestic violence and sexual assault. Immediately following the mock trial, Mid Central Community Action’s Countering Domestic Violence Program will hold a candlelight vigil to remember victims and honor survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Verizon will conduct a HopeLine drive for no longer used cell phones during the week of October 13 through October 17, donating an additional $3 for each phone collected during that period. HopeLine is Verizon Wireless’ signature program which turns no longer used wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. The collected phones are either refurbished or sold, with the proceeds used to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence victims and to support domestic violence shelters and organizations.
“The phones donated to HopeLine do more than just provide emergency communications,” said Kim Wells, Executive Director of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. “The phones give victims the courage to venture beyond the safety of their homes, to go to work, or to go shopping and take their children to school, knowing that, if they are threatened, help is just a phone call away.” Collection bins will be situated at the following locations:
· Heartland Community College
· Illinois State University (Bone Student Center – Leadership & Service Office and University Program Board Office; Minority Student Academic Center; Student Counseling Services; Diversity Advocacy Office)
· Illinois State University Police Department
· Lincoln College - Normal
· Radio Bloomington
· State Farm Insurance Companies (Corporate Headquarters Atrium; Corporate South H-1 Atrium,; Corporate South P-1 Lobby)
· Town of Normal Police Department
· YWCA McLean County
· Illinois Wesleyan University Memorial Center’s Young Main Lounge (on October 15th only)
· McLean County Museum of History (On October 15 only)
Working together, our community can assure that on this day, everyone will be taking a moment to talk about the fact that 25 percent of women and eleven percent of men in the United States will be abused by someone they love in their lifetime.
You can make a difference on October 15! Talk to someone in your life about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. If you are not sure how to get the conversation started please see Liz Claiborne’s educational handbooks, which are designed to give you practical and easy advice on ways to begin to talk about the issue. The handbooks are available at http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/.
For a complete list of events, visit: http://www.caepv.org/about/program_detail.php?refID=39
Wouldn’t it be great to have a single day where we turn to one another and actually talk about two issues that you may not realize are more common than breast cancer? These issues, by their nature, make people uncomfortable – domestic violence and SEXUAL ASSAULT.
The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence, in partnership with 30 other local organizations and Liz Claiborne Inc., as designated October 15, 2008, as “It’s Time to Talk Day” in Central Illinois, hoping to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and get people talking about these pervasive social issues.
This year’s theme for “It’s Time to Talk Day” is Once You Phone, You’re Not Alone—encouraging individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault to pick up the phone and reach out for assistance. Participating community organizations hope to educate the community on local resources available for victims, survivors and their families while also removing questions about what happens after a call to 911, a crisis hotline or a report to the hospital following abuse.
Among the highlighted events happening throughout “It’s Time to Talk Day” is a free conference featuring experts discussing the impact of domestic violence and sexual assault on individuals at different stages of the lifespan. The conference, “Once You Phone, You’re Not Alone: Reporting and Responding to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” will be held at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Memorial Center on October 15 and will introduce attendees to local first responders.
McLean County State’s Attorney Bill Yoder said “This conference along with all of the day’s events are important to help educate the community in understanding the working relationships among emergency responders, the police, prosecutors, and community agencies who work together to assist victims of domestic abuse in our community at the most vulnerable time in their lives. When a victim phones, we all work together to ensure she is not alone.”
The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting “People vs. Perry – A Mock Trial” at the McLean County Museum of History in Downtown Bloomington at 6:00PM on October 15. This event, also free and open to the public, illustrates a case of domestic violence and sexual assault. Immediately following the mock trial, Mid Central Community Action’s Countering Domestic Violence Program will hold a candlelight vigil to remember victims and honor survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Verizon will conduct a HopeLine drive for no longer used cell phones during the week of October 13 through October 17, donating an additional $3 for each phone collected during that period. HopeLine is Verizon Wireless’ signature program which turns no longer used wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. The collected phones are either refurbished or sold, with the proceeds used to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence victims and to support domestic violence shelters and organizations.
“The phones donated to HopeLine do more than just provide emergency communications,” said Kim Wells, Executive Director of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. “The phones give victims the courage to venture beyond the safety of their homes, to go to work, or to go shopping and take their children to school, knowing that, if they are threatened, help is just a phone call away.” Collection bins will be situated at the following locations:
· Heartland Community College
· Illinois State University (Bone Student Center – Leadership & Service Office and University Program Board Office; Minority Student Academic Center; Student Counseling Services; Diversity Advocacy Office)
· Illinois State University Police Department
· Lincoln College - Normal
· Radio Bloomington
· State Farm Insurance Companies (Corporate Headquarters Atrium; Corporate South H-1 Atrium,; Corporate South P-1 Lobby)
· Town of Normal Police Department
· YWCA McLean County
· Illinois Wesleyan University Memorial Center’s Young Main Lounge (on October 15th only)
· McLean County Museum of History (On October 15 only)
Working together, our community can assure that on this day, everyone will be taking a moment to talk about the fact that 25 percent of women and eleven percent of men in the United States will be abused by someone they love in their lifetime.
You can make a difference on October 15! Talk to someone in your life about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. If you are not sure how to get the conversation started please see Liz Claiborne’s educational handbooks, which are designed to give you practical and easy advice on ways to begin to talk about the issue. The handbooks are available at http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/.
For a complete list of events, visit: http://www.caepv.org/about/program_detail.php?refID=39
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Can Shoes Help Stop Domestic Violence?
So . . can shoes help stop domestic violence?
If you buy them at Marshall's between October 2 and 16 they can! Our CAEPV Members and partners Safe Horizon are teaming up with Marshalls and UNIFEM on Marshalls’ “Shop Til It Stops” campaign, an in-store initiative which gives $1 (up to $150K) of every pair of shoes purchased in Marshalls stores nationwide from October 2nd through the 16th to support Safe Horizon’s SafeWork program.
The campaign kicked off October 2 with a two-hour public awareness event in New York City on October 2nd. The event, “Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence,” attracted the attention of hundreds of New Yorkers and created an open dialog about domestic violence while offering information and resources to those in need. To show their solidarity in “stepping” out publically against domestic violence, New Yorkers strutted their stuff down one fashion runways set up in Union Square Park. At the end of each runway walk, guests donated their gently worn shoes in support of the cause, before receiving delicious chocolates and on-site foot massages!
All proceeds that Safe Horizon receives from this partnership go to support SafeWork, Safe Horizon’s national movement in partnership with the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence to empower corporate America to address domestic violence in the workplace. To learn more about this initiative or how you can get involved in addressing domestic violence in your workplace or in your community, please visit www.safehorizon.org/safework.
So yes, shoes really CAN help stop domestic violence.
If you buy them at Marshall's between October 2 and 16 they can! Our CAEPV Members and partners Safe Horizon are teaming up with Marshalls and UNIFEM on Marshalls’ “Shop Til It Stops” campaign, an in-store initiative which gives $1 (up to $150K) of every pair of shoes purchased in Marshalls stores nationwide from October 2nd through the 16th to support Safe Horizon’s SafeWork program.
The campaign kicked off October 2 with a two-hour public awareness event in New York City on October 2nd. The event, “Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence,” attracted the attention of hundreds of New Yorkers and created an open dialog about domestic violence while offering information and resources to those in need. To show their solidarity in “stepping” out publically against domestic violence, New Yorkers strutted their stuff down one fashion runways set up in Union Square Park. At the end of each runway walk, guests donated their gently worn shoes in support of the cause, before receiving delicious chocolates and on-site foot massages!
All proceeds that Safe Horizon receives from this partnership go to support SafeWork, Safe Horizon’s national movement in partnership with the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence to empower corporate America to address domestic violence in the workplace. To learn more about this initiative or how you can get involved in addressing domestic violence in your workplace or in your community, please visit www.safehorizon.org/safework.
So yes, shoes really CAN help stop domestic violence.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
What Are You Doing For Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Or Where Is All The Purple?)
I wrote this last year and was thinking about it again this year. I have some updated thoughts. . .but the idea remains the same.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I realize it is also a month to recognize a lot of other really important health and other issues -- most notably breast cancer. But while you see a lot of "pink" around, do you see a lot of "purple"? (Purple is the color that represents domestic violence awareness like pink represents breast cancer awareness.)
I have seen pink mixers, pink bras, pink baseball bats, pink shoes. . . you name it. But why not purple? I have some guesses. (We were really excited in my office when we saw Yahoo's purple campaign because we thought surely they would have SOMETHING about purple and domestic violence. . .but no. So -- we have asked them to consider this really important reason that purple is "cool." We will see what they do.)
A long time ago, no one talked about breast cancer -- they kept it a secret, and somehow it was a "shame" and was their fault. But that has changed, and we no longer blame breast cancer victims. We call them survivors. And we honor them. And we should.
Now -- with domestic violence, we are not exactly there. We are uncomfortable with it because we are not really sure what "causes" it, whose "fault" it is, what we should do about it, or how to even say something to someone. I don't know all the reasons. I just know this -- it is highly uncomfortable for us.
But put all that aside for a moment. I think we can all agree that the one place everyone should be safe and secure is in their own homes where they should feel loved and cherished. And I think we can all learn a bit about how to be healthier in our own relationships (which is also a source of discomfort for us, I think) and also learn how to recognize if someone is in a relationship that is perhaps not as healthy or safe as it could be.
I am not sure it "matters" that I "get" everything about someone else's relationship-- I am really clear that no one deserves to be hit. Or slapped. Or to have things thrown at them. Or to be intimidated. Or for their children to be afraid.
Maybe for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it would be good if we could all do what 32 organizations and businesses in Central Illinois are asking people to do on October 15 and just learn to talk about this -- not argue about it, not decide if it is a "men's thing" or a "women's thing" but just realize it is a thing that impacts everyone. Don't we want everyone to be better and live safely?
Spread the purple!!!!
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I realize it is also a month to recognize a lot of other really important health and other issues -- most notably breast cancer. But while you see a lot of "pink" around, do you see a lot of "purple"? (Purple is the color that represents domestic violence awareness like pink represents breast cancer awareness.)
I have seen pink mixers, pink bras, pink baseball bats, pink shoes. . . you name it. But why not purple? I have some guesses. (We were really excited in my office when we saw Yahoo's purple campaign because we thought surely they would have SOMETHING about purple and domestic violence. . .but no. So -- we have asked them to consider this really important reason that purple is "cool." We will see what they do.)
A long time ago, no one talked about breast cancer -- they kept it a secret, and somehow it was a "shame" and was their fault. But that has changed, and we no longer blame breast cancer victims. We call them survivors. And we honor them. And we should.
Now -- with domestic violence, we are not exactly there. We are uncomfortable with it because we are not really sure what "causes" it, whose "fault" it is, what we should do about it, or how to even say something to someone. I don't know all the reasons. I just know this -- it is highly uncomfortable for us.
But put all that aside for a moment. I think we can all agree that the one place everyone should be safe and secure is in their own homes where they should feel loved and cherished. And I think we can all learn a bit about how to be healthier in our own relationships (which is also a source of discomfort for us, I think) and also learn how to recognize if someone is in a relationship that is perhaps not as healthy or safe as it could be.
I am not sure it "matters" that I "get" everything about someone else's relationship-- I am really clear that no one deserves to be hit. Or slapped. Or to have things thrown at them. Or to be intimidated. Or for their children to be afraid.
Maybe for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it would be good if we could all do what 32 organizations and businesses in Central Illinois are asking people to do on October 15 and just learn to talk about this -- not argue about it, not decide if it is a "men's thing" or a "women's thing" but just realize it is a thing that impacts everyone. Don't we want everyone to be better and live safely?
Spread the purple!!!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Workplace Policies and Domestic Violence - Does One Size Fit All?
I often get asked about different kinds of policies to address different types of workplaces with respect to domestic violence. Not all workplaces are the same, and not all workplace cultures have the same kinds of policies. Some are very brief and have a different set of procedures or guidelines to go with their policies, and some policies are all-inclusive. Some workplaces have union employees, some do not.
So there are differences in the way that policies are constructed depending on the organization or type of employer, but not necessarily what kinds of issues should be touched upon. For sample policies and resources you can check out www.caepv.org
For a great policy from an institution of higher education – specifically Buffalo State College – check out their policy at http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr/dvwp.asp. It is just one example of many but gets away from the idea that only a "corporation" would have such a policy (and believe me, I've been told that!)
I also have to give “props” to my friends at the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) in the State of New York. Amy Barasch (the Executive Director) has done an amazing job, and they are working with all state agencies in New York to get policies in place. For more on that, check http://www.opdv.state.ny.us/workplace/index.html.
Remember -- policies can be scalable and amenable to your workplace culture. But policies can also be put in a drawer and never used if they are not followed up with training and education and awareness programs within the workplace so managers and employees know what to do, who to talk to, and what resources are available.
For example, one of our CAEPV member companies places links for resources in several different locations on its employee intranet, so an employee in need of help related to domestic violence does not just go to the "Domestic Violence" spot to find it. They may find it in a Work/Life section, or a Workplace Safety section, or a Family Life section, or many other areas of the intranet. Not only does this provide information in easily accessible ways, it makes the issue one that shows up regularly so even employees who may not need the help (right now) see it.
So there are differences in the way that policies are constructed depending on the organization or type of employer, but not necessarily what kinds of issues should be touched upon. For sample policies and resources you can check out www.caepv.org
For a great policy from an institution of higher education – specifically Buffalo State College – check out their policy at http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr/dvwp.asp. It is just one example of many but gets away from the idea that only a "corporation" would have such a policy (and believe me, I've been told that!)
I also have to give “props” to my friends at the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) in the State of New York. Amy Barasch (the Executive Director) has done an amazing job, and they are working with all state agencies in New York to get policies in place. For more on that, check http://www.opdv.state.ny.us/workplace/index.html.
Remember -- policies can be scalable and amenable to your workplace culture. But policies can also be put in a drawer and never used if they are not followed up with training and education and awareness programs within the workplace so managers and employees know what to do, who to talk to, and what resources are available.
For example, one of our CAEPV member companies places links for resources in several different locations on its employee intranet, so an employee in need of help related to domestic violence does not just go to the "Domestic Violence" spot to find it. They may find it in a Work/Life section, or a Workplace Safety section, or a Family Life section, or many other areas of the intranet. Not only does this provide information in easily accessible ways, it makes the issue one that shows up regularly so even employees who may not need the help (right now) see it.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
SAFEWORK 2010 ADDS 20TH LEADER TO ITS ROSTER!
CEO #20 has taken the pledge!! I am happy to report that Stanley Brezenoff, CEO of Continuum Health Partners, has just taken the SafeWork 2010 pledge! Continuum Health Partners is the parent company for Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, Long Island College Hospital and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary – all major New York City hospitals. To view the growing list of CEOs who have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, click here.
And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Television Star Ana Ortiz and The Allstate Foundation Encourage Americans to "Tell A Gal P.A.L." About Domestic Violence
Here is something we can all do - donate a handbag or professional bag, get educated, and tell a friend! Our CAEPV members come up with great things their employees and the community can do to help!
To kick off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, TV star Ana Ortiz is partnering with The Allstate Foundation to encourage Americans to “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” about domestic violence and donate a purse.
As part of the “Tell a P.A.L.” campaign, Ms. Ortiz whom by her own personal experience with domestic violence, will open up her heart and closet to raise awareness of domestic violence and financial abuse. From September 22 through October 3, Ms. Ortiz and The Allstate Foundation encourage people to donate nearly new purses or professional bags. The donated purses will be given to the non-profit Dress for Success organization to help domestic violence survivors, or other women in need, get back on their feet and enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence. Ms. Ortiz will also donate her Onna Ehrlich purse to one lucky winner for telling gal pals about domestic violence.
Purse donations will be accepted at select Allstate agency locations across the nation. A list of donation locations is available at http://www.clicktoempower.org/. By visiting the Web site, people can find information and resources on domestic violence, as well as enter for a chance to win an Onna Ehrlich purse from Ms. Ortiz’s personal collection. Bonus entries to win Ms. Ortiz’s purse will be awarded for those who “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” through online messages to family and friends.
The “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” program focuses on purses as they serve as symbol of economic empowerment for women. Research from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence shows that women with financial skills are more likely to leave abusive situations and sustain themselves and their families on a long-term basis.
Through its “Pass It On, Act and Learn,” the “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” campaign creates awareness and starts an open dialogue about domestic violence and how economic empowerment can provide a path to a safe future. “Pass it On, Act and Learn” consists of the following important steps:
Pass It On— Spread the word to your gal pals that domestic violence touches all of us and it can happen to anyone. Let your gal pals know that financial abuse is part of domestic abuse. Talk freely about domestic violence to break down the taboo.
Act— Small acts make a big difference. Encourage your gal pals to actively plan for a secure financial future. Start a savings plan for emergencies or get a copy of your credit report.
Learn—Learn about the resources available to help yourself, or someone you know, out of an abusive situation. Take steps to protect your personal and financial safety whether you’re in an abusive relationship or not, and empower yourself.
For additional information, visit www.econempowerment.org.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
September 19 Marks First National RESPECT! Day In US - Launches RESPECT! Campaign
This is another really cool partnership idea!
On Friday, September 19, CAEPV Member the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and Macy's will ask the nation to join in marking the first annual National RESPECT! Day(SM).
A newly designated observance, National RESPECT! Day will launch a multi-year movement -- the RESPECT! Campaign(SM)-- designed to raise awareness of domestic and dating violence and to encourage positive discourse about prevention by teaching respect. CAEPV Member Blue Shield of California Foundation is a Workplace Training partner in this effort.
The launch, which will include employee rallies at more than 600 Macy's stores and on 135 college campuses nationwide, will invite the nation to join the movement by donning the official RESPECT! bracelet and getting out their cell phones to Text RESPECT!(SM).
The RESPECT! bracelet, available exclusively at Macy's and on macys.com, is available for $5 with half of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet benefiting the RESPECT! Campaign.
Advocates can also demonstrate their support for the movement by texting the keyword "respect" to 41010 - for a goal of 10 million acts of respect for the 10 million children who witness violence in their homes each year1. By doing so, people will be mapped on GiveRespect.org which will be populated by the minute with respect acts across the country.
Participants can also choose to donate $5 via their mobile phones to support the FVPF, one of the nation's leading organizations working to prevent and end violence against women and children, and can invite a friend to join the movement as well.
The FVPF has teamed up with Macy's - which has a longtime commitment to ending abuse, but is now putting its consumer-friendly platforms to work on the issue. By doing so, the RESPECT! Campaign will have elevated exposure to educate and involve Americans on a larger scale.
As part of its continued work to end violence against women and children, Macy's will support the campaign in three primary ways in its first year:
• Serve as the exclusive retailer of the official RESPECT! bracelet, with half of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet benefiting the RESPECT! Campaign.
• Include the Family Violence Prevention Fund in Macy's annual Shop for a Cause event on Saturday, September 20.
• Roll out a nationwide employee education/resource program this September to equip each of its stores to support employees that may be experiencing abuse in a relationship.
Funds raised from the RESPECT! CampaignSM will support education, awareness and training programs that prevent and end violence against women and children by building strong, healthy families and communities.
On Friday, September 19, CAEPV Member the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and Macy's will ask the nation to join in marking the first annual National RESPECT! Day(SM).
A newly designated observance, National RESPECT! Day will launch a multi-year movement -- the RESPECT! Campaign(SM)-- designed to raise awareness of domestic and dating violence and to encourage positive discourse about prevention by teaching respect. CAEPV Member Blue Shield of California Foundation is a Workplace Training partner in this effort.
The launch, which will include employee rallies at more than 600 Macy's stores and on 135 college campuses nationwide, will invite the nation to join the movement by donning the official RESPECT! bracelet and getting out their cell phones to Text RESPECT!(SM).
The RESPECT! bracelet, available exclusively at Macy's and on macys.com, is available for $5 with half of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet benefiting the RESPECT! Campaign.
Advocates can also demonstrate their support for the movement by texting the keyword "respect" to 41010 - for a goal of 10 million acts of respect for the 10 million children who witness violence in their homes each year1. By doing so, people will be mapped on GiveRespect.org which will be populated by the minute with respect acts across the country.
Participants can also choose to donate $5 via their mobile phones to support the FVPF, one of the nation's leading organizations working to prevent and end violence against women and children, and can invite a friend to join the movement as well.
The FVPF has teamed up with Macy's - which has a longtime commitment to ending abuse, but is now putting its consumer-friendly platforms to work on the issue. By doing so, the RESPECT! Campaign will have elevated exposure to educate and involve Americans on a larger scale.
As part of its continued work to end violence against women and children, Macy's will support the campaign in three primary ways in its first year:
• Serve as the exclusive retailer of the official RESPECT! bracelet, with half of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet benefiting the RESPECT! Campaign.
• Include the Family Violence Prevention Fund in Macy's annual Shop for a Cause event on Saturday, September 20.
• Roll out a nationwide employee education/resource program this September to equip each of its stores to support employees that may be experiencing abuse in a relationship.
Funds raised from the RESPECT! CampaignSM will support education, awareness and training programs that prevent and end violence against women and children by building strong, healthy families and communities.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
More Than Just Lip Service
I LOVE this idea created by our CAEPV partners in the UK - The Body Shop International!
The Body Shop's new "For Me, For You" Shea Lip Care Duo offers more than just lip service.
The special edition, preservative-free moisturizing lip care sticks not only soften and condition lips, but are packaged to share and inform.
Recent research by The Body Shop shows that as many as 64% of women claim they would choose to confide in a friend rather than family or police if suffering from intimate partner violence.*
The lip duo, meant to be shared with a friend, is marked with the message "Break the Silence on Domestic Violence" in effort to encourage women to speak out about domestic violence. In addition to this message, The Body Shop now has leaflets available in stores and through The Body Shop at Home that provide advice about reaching out to a friend that may be suffering from domestic violence with tips on how to seek help. The "For Me, For You" duo is an extension of The Body Shop's "Stop Violence in the Home" campaign. Approximately $9 from the sale of each lip duo supports NCADV and its programs.
Additionally, the shea butter used in the lip care sticks provides trade and fair deal to more than 400 women from the Tungteiya co-operative in Ghana through The Body Shop Community Trade Program.
What a great idea -- share a lip care stick with a friend -- and share the message about domestic violence.
*Research carried out by IPSOS MORI and The Body Shop International (December 22nd, 2006-January 3rd, 2007) through an online survey of 11,000 women aged 16-35 in 11 countries including the US and Canada.
The Body Shop's new "For Me, For You" Shea Lip Care Duo offers more than just lip service.
The special edition, preservative-free moisturizing lip care sticks not only soften and condition lips, but are packaged to share and inform.
Recent research by The Body Shop shows that as many as 64% of women claim they would choose to confide in a friend rather than family or police if suffering from intimate partner violence.*
The lip duo, meant to be shared with a friend, is marked with the message "Break the Silence on Domestic Violence" in effort to encourage women to speak out about domestic violence. In addition to this message, The Body Shop now has leaflets available in stores and through The Body Shop at Home that provide advice about reaching out to a friend that may be suffering from domestic violence with tips on how to seek help. The "For Me, For You" duo is an extension of The Body Shop's "Stop Violence in the Home" campaign. Approximately $9 from the sale of each lip duo supports NCADV and its programs.
Additionally, the shea butter used in the lip care sticks provides trade and fair deal to more than 400 women from the Tungteiya co-operative in Ghana through The Body Shop Community Trade Program.
What a great idea -- share a lip care stick with a friend -- and share the message about domestic violence.
*Research carried out by IPSOS MORI and The Body Shop International (December 22nd, 2006-January 3rd, 2007) through an online survey of 11,000 women aged 16-35 in 11 countries including the US and Canada.
Friday, September 12, 2008
SAFEWORK 2010 ADDS RUDER FINN INC. TO ITS ROSTER
We are pleased to announce that Kathy Bloomgarden and Peter Finn, Co-CEOs of Ruder Finn, Inc. are the latest addition to SafeWork 2010. Ruder Finn is an international agency offering integrated public relations, marketing, and advertising services.
The growing SafeWork 2010 list includes:
Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Insurance Company*
Louis C. Camilleri, Altria Group, Inc.*
Andrea Jung, Avon Products, Inc.*
Jens Bang, Cone, LLC
Ron Fierman, Digital Pulp
Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank
Vic Broccolino, Howard County General Hospital
Andrea Wong, Lifetime Entertainment Services*
William McComb, Liz Claiborne Inc.*
Marcia Nagle, Longview Associates, LLC*
David B. Holl, Mary Kay Inc.*
Andrew R. Urban, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente*
Emanuel Chirico, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Kathy Bloomgarden and Peter Finn, Ruder Finn, Inc.
Steve Jacaruso, Le Sportsac
Neil L. Rubler, Vantage Properties, LLC
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless*
Susan White, White + Warren
*CAEPV Member
All of the above CEOs have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge. And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
The growing SafeWork 2010 list includes:
Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Insurance Company*
Louis C. Camilleri, Altria Group, Inc.*
Andrea Jung, Avon Products, Inc.*
Jens Bang, Cone, LLC
Ron Fierman, Digital Pulp
Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank
Vic Broccolino, Howard County General Hospital
Andrea Wong, Lifetime Entertainment Services*
William McComb, Liz Claiborne Inc.*
Marcia Nagle, Longview Associates, LLC*
David B. Holl, Mary Kay Inc.*
Andrew R. Urban, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente*
Emanuel Chirico, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Kathy Bloomgarden and Peter Finn, Ruder Finn, Inc.
Steve Jacaruso, Le Sportsac
Neil L. Rubler, Vantage Properties, LLC
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless*
Susan White, White + Warren
*CAEPV Member
All of the above CEOs have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge. And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
Monday, September 08, 2008
SafeWork 2010 Adds Leaders To Its Roster!
We have some great new leaders that have added their names to membership in SafeWork 2010:
· Ron Fierman, President of Digital Pulp, an award-winning online advertising and web
development company
· Vic Broccolino, President of Howard County General Hospital, a member of Johns
Hopkins Medicine
· Susan White, President of White + Warren, a boutique cashmere clothing and accessories
company whose products are carried in over 500 stores nationwide
The growing SafeWork 2010 list includes:
Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Insurance Company*
Louis C. Camilleri, Altria Group, Inc.*
Andrea Jung, Avon Products, Inc.*
Jens Bang, Cone, LLC
Ron Fierman, Digital Pulp
Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank
Vic Broccolino, Howard County General Hospital
Andrea Wong, Lifetime Entertainment Services*
William McComb, Liz Claiborne Inc.*
Marcia Nagle, Longview Associates, LLC*
David B. Holl, Mary Kay Inc.*
Andrew R. Urban, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente*
Emanuel Chirico, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Steve Jacaruso, Le Sportsac
Neil L. Rubler, Vantage Properties, LLC
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless*
Susan White, White + Warren
*CAEPV Member
All of the above CEOs have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge. And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
· Ron Fierman, President of Digital Pulp, an award-winning online advertising and web
development company
· Vic Broccolino, President of Howard County General Hospital, a member of Johns
Hopkins Medicine
· Susan White, President of White + Warren, a boutique cashmere clothing and accessories
company whose products are carried in over 500 stores nationwide
The growing SafeWork 2010 list includes:
Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Insurance Company*
Louis C. Camilleri, Altria Group, Inc.*
Andrea Jung, Avon Products, Inc.*
Jens Bang, Cone, LLC
Ron Fierman, Digital Pulp
Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank
Vic Broccolino, Howard County General Hospital
Andrea Wong, Lifetime Entertainment Services*
William McComb, Liz Claiborne Inc.*
Marcia Nagle, Longview Associates, LLC*
David B. Holl, Mary Kay Inc.*
Andrew R. Urban, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente*
Emanuel Chirico, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Steve Jacaruso, Le Sportsac
Neil L. Rubler, Vantage Properties, LLC
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless*
Susan White, White + Warren
*CAEPV Member
All of the above CEOs have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge. And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Violently Ill - HR Executive Online Features Domestic Violence As A Workplace Issue
HR Executive Online has done a great article with accompanying information and resources on the impact of domestic violence on the workplace. I spent a lot of time talking with Jared Shelly, the journalist who wrote the piece and coordinated the “extras” and he worked very hard to make sure he had something that would really help their readers understand how domestic violence impacts the workplace, what companies are currently doing about it, and what interest HR Executives can do about it.
He chose an interesting title for his piece, “Violently Ill.” At first I was taken aback by the title. But as I thought about it, it made sense. Jared wanted his readers to understand that for victims of domestic violence, their work absences due to domestic violence can be because of the violent nature of the situation they are in at home.
Featured in the article are CAEPV Members State Farm Insurance Companies, Verizon Wireless, Blue Shield of California Foundation, and CIGNA (which not only provides EAP services for Verizon Wireless, but also has its own program).
While Macy’s is not a Corporate Alliance member, we are very happy to have member of Macy’s Employee Relations area on our board of directors.
Finally, I honor the State Farm employee who chose to share her story with Jared. She is amazing – and as she shares, she helps more employers and employees know that they are not alone and that this issue is “Everybody’s Business.”
Thanks to HR Exec Online for highlighting domestic violence as a workplace issue, thanks to Jared Shelly for working so hard to make sure he got the story and the resources out there, and thanks to the employers who are willing to do something about this and share their experiences with others!
He chose an interesting title for his piece, “Violently Ill.” At first I was taken aback by the title. But as I thought about it, it made sense. Jared wanted his readers to understand that for victims of domestic violence, their work absences due to domestic violence can be because of the violent nature of the situation they are in at home.
Featured in the article are CAEPV Members State Farm Insurance Companies, Verizon Wireless, Blue Shield of California Foundation, and CIGNA (which not only provides EAP services for Verizon Wireless, but also has its own program).
While Macy’s is not a Corporate Alliance member, we are very happy to have member of Macy’s Employee Relations area on our board of directors.
Finally, I honor the State Farm employee who chose to share her story with Jared. She is amazing – and as she shares, she helps more employers and employees know that they are not alone and that this issue is “Everybody’s Business.”
Thanks to HR Exec Online for highlighting domestic violence as a workplace issue, thanks to Jared Shelly for working so hard to make sure he got the story and the resources out there, and thanks to the employers who are willing to do something about this and share their experiences with others!
Monday, August 25, 2008
What Does It Mean to "Click To Empower?"
Last time I checked, the “ClicktoEmpower” clicker was at 232,394 – they are approaching the 50,000 to go mark! Thanks to all of you so dedicated to “clicking” and sharing this easy way to help victims of domestic violence with friends. The goal is to click to 300,000.
Each click represents $1 donated by The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program to the Education and Job Training Assistance (EJTA) Fund, with a total contribution of up to $300,000. The EJTA Fund helps domestic violence survivors pursue long-term financial security by providing vital financial assistance for education, training and job-related expenses. Clicking is easy -- and you can help someone get access to books and supplies for school, job-training skills, certification fees, tuition, registration fees, childcare, and more!
I have personally seen the EJTA Fund in action – and seen first-hand what a difference it can make in the life of a victim of domestic violence who is trying to gain long-term financial security. Believe me, it works!
Allstate is a company I appreciate – I know they are an insurance company and I know that does not always make them a "popular" kind of company, but they have done a lot of really cool things by taking what they are good at (financial stuff) and applying it to helping victims of domestic violence. To learn more about Allstate and their commitment, check out our “Member of the Month” page on the CAEPV website.
Please keep clicking – and watch that arrow move toward the $300,000 mark!!
Each click represents $1 donated by The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program to the Education and Job Training Assistance (EJTA) Fund, with a total contribution of up to $300,000. The EJTA Fund helps domestic violence survivors pursue long-term financial security by providing vital financial assistance for education, training and job-related expenses. Clicking is easy -- and you can help someone get access to books and supplies for school, job-training skills, certification fees, tuition, registration fees, childcare, and more!
I have personally seen the EJTA Fund in action – and seen first-hand what a difference it can make in the life of a victim of domestic violence who is trying to gain long-term financial security. Believe me, it works!
Allstate is a company I appreciate – I know they are an insurance company and I know that does not always make them a "popular" kind of company, but they have done a lot of really cool things by taking what they are good at (financial stuff) and applying it to helping victims of domestic violence. To learn more about Allstate and their commitment, check out our “Member of the Month” page on the CAEPV website.
Please keep clicking – and watch that arrow move toward the $300,000 mark!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
So. . .THAT'S Who Domestic Violence Happens To. . .
Lately it seems like there have been several "high profile" people in the news accused of commiting domest violence - parents of actors or actors or athletes. And people are often shocked because "domestic violence does not happen to people like that."
I remember when I was at an upscale clothing store buying a suit and the salesperson asked me what I did and I was explaining it. The salesperson noted they were surprised that the kinds of businesses I worked with "had that kind of problem" (domestic violence). I pointed out that if they did not, I would not have a job.
The point is -- it can happen to ANYONE. And it does.
I don't fault people for not knowing that because people don't necessarily openly and easily discuss hurtful things like violence or abuse in their most intimate relationships -- especially if it might cost them their jobs.
I was talking with a woman this weekend about what I do, and she said "I know it can happen to anyone -- it is happening in my family. . .and maybe if my relative's employer provided resources and assistance like you are talking about, she would not feel so trapped and feel like she could reach out for help."
That is really what we are trying to do - provide avenues for help -- recognizing it is an issue for employees and an issue for workplaces. And a workplace can do well by doing good.
And this is also why I am so excited about the S2 - Safer, Smarter, Workplace Conference that the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence is hosting in November sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. We are bringing together employers and Employee Assistance Providers (EAPs) from across the country to leverage how we can all best address this issue. Just imagine -- EAPs reach millions and millions of employees each year through hundreds of thousands of employers. And what if each and every time an employee in a domestic violence situation called the EAP -- the person on the other end was best equipped to help with resources and assistance and was in the best partnership possible with the employer? It is very exciting to me!
It is just one aspect of the issue, but we hope to make a difference.
I was doing an interview for a magazine a few weeks ago, and a journalist asked me the biggest "myth" about domestic violence and professional people. I said it was that "it could not happen" to a professional person because they would be "too smart" or "too educated" and would know better. The fact is, that simply is not true. It, sadly, can happen to anyone.
And I hope that someday, everyone can look around them and realize that it can be as close as next door, or the next office, and reach out to help.
I remember when I was at an upscale clothing store buying a suit and the salesperson asked me what I did and I was explaining it. The salesperson noted they were surprised that the kinds of businesses I worked with "had that kind of problem" (domestic violence). I pointed out that if they did not, I would not have a job.
The point is -- it can happen to ANYONE. And it does.
I don't fault people for not knowing that because people don't necessarily openly and easily discuss hurtful things like violence or abuse in their most intimate relationships -- especially if it might cost them their jobs.
I was talking with a woman this weekend about what I do, and she said "I know it can happen to anyone -- it is happening in my family. . .and maybe if my relative's employer provided resources and assistance like you are talking about, she would not feel so trapped and feel like she could reach out for help."
That is really what we are trying to do - provide avenues for help -- recognizing it is an issue for employees and an issue for workplaces. And a workplace can do well by doing good.
And this is also why I am so excited about the S2 - Safer, Smarter, Workplace Conference that the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence is hosting in November sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. We are bringing together employers and Employee Assistance Providers (EAPs) from across the country to leverage how we can all best address this issue. Just imagine -- EAPs reach millions and millions of employees each year through hundreds of thousands of employers. And what if each and every time an employee in a domestic violence situation called the EAP -- the person on the other end was best equipped to help with resources and assistance and was in the best partnership possible with the employer? It is very exciting to me!
It is just one aspect of the issue, but we hope to make a difference.
I was doing an interview for a magazine a few weeks ago, and a journalist asked me the biggest "myth" about domestic violence and professional people. I said it was that "it could not happen" to a professional person because they would be "too smart" or "too educated" and would know better. The fact is, that simply is not true. It, sadly, can happen to anyone.
And I hope that someday, everyone can look around them and realize that it can be as close as next door, or the next office, and reach out to help.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Illinois Governor Signs "Cindy Bischof Law" Allowing Courts to Order Abusers to Wear GPS When Restraining Orders Have Been Violated
This is a follow up to a situation I've written about in the past few months -- so I wanted to make sure to post this:
CHICAGO – Joined by a bipartisan group of state legislators, domestic violence prevention advocates and the family of domestic abuse victim Cindy Bischof, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims from their abusers. Senate Bill 2719, sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and State Representative Suzanne Bassi (R-Palatine), allows the courts to order an abuser to wear a GPS tracking device as a condition of bail in instances when a restraining order has been violated.
The legislation was sparked by the tragic event surrounding the death of Cindy Bischof whose ex-boyfriend was able to obtain a gun and shoot her in the parking lot of her real estate business, even after he had been arrested and prosecuted for violating a restraining order on two occasions.
“It is with a heavy heart for the Bischof family that I sign this legislation to enhance our state’s protections for domestic abuse victims,” said Governor Blagojevich. “The loss of their daughter was a terrible tragedy, but the Bischof family has used the heartbreak of her death to protect others like Cindy, who live in fear of their abuser. With this legislation, we will further help victims of domestic violence by monitoring their abusers whereabouts and aiding law enforcement in tracking violations of a restraining order.”
The law is effective January 1, 2009.
In a domestic violence case, if a domestic abuser is arrested for violating a restraining order and appeals for bail, the Cindy Bischof Law requires that the abuser must undergo a risk assessment evaluation and gives the court authority to require a GPS device be worn if bail is granted. In addition, the court must order the abuser to be evaluated by a partner abuse intervention program and order the respondent to follow all recommendations. The law also establishes an abuser’s failure to attend and complete a partner abuse intervention program as a new offense if the restraining order is violated.
The new law also adds at least a $200 additional fine to every penalty on a violation of a restraining order conviction. The fines will be deposited into the newly established Domestic Violence Surveillance Fund.
“Our family, friends, and foundation thank the General Assembly and the Governor for acting quickly and decisively to pass this legislation which will go a long way toward helping victims of domestic violence maintain some semblance of freedom from their offender in stalking situations,” said Michael Bischof, brother of Cindy Bischof.
Finally, the bill establishes the Domestic Violence Surveillance Program where the supervising authority over the abuser (whether it is the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Patrol Review Board or the court) will use the most modern GPS technology to track domestic violence offenders and defines what capabilities the GPS tracking system must have. The Division of Probation Services must establish all standards and protocols to implement the program.
The Governor was joined today at the Jane Addams Hull House by Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Plainfield), State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood), State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago), State Representative Patricia Bellock (R-Westmont), State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison), family and friends of Bischof Family, Assistant State’s Attorney Ketki Steffan of the 3rd Municipal District, Denise Snyder of the Illinois Coalition against Domestic Assault, Maria Pesquiera of Mujeres Latina en Accion, and other advocates who provide assistance for domestic violence victims.
“Here today we honor the memory of Cindy Bischof by helping to protect battered women from their abusive stalkers. I am pleased to stand here with this bipartisan group to witness the signing of this important legislation,” said House Minority Leader Cross.
“The Cindy Bischof Law will help law enforcement officials protect families through use of GPS systems, strengthen existing laws for protecting families, and may save lives,” said Senator Garrett.
“It was my honor to be a part of drafting and passing this important piece of legislation which will provide a much greater degree of protection for victims of domestic violence then has thus far been the case,” said Representative Bassi who was out of the state for the bill signing.
The legislation signed by the Governor is similar legislation passed in Massachusetts last year which tracked domestic abusers with GPS and used GPS to enforce protection orders against convicted abusers. Until today, GPS use in Illinois has been only utilized by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice to track sex offenders.
8-21-08 UPDATE: After reading the blog, Ms. Magazine contacted me and let me know about an article they had regarding GPS and tracking offenders. It is located at http://www.msmagazine.com/Summer2008/GPStracking.asp.
CHICAGO – Joined by a bipartisan group of state legislators, domestic violence prevention advocates and the family of domestic abuse victim Cindy Bischof, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims from their abusers. Senate Bill 2719, sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and State Representative Suzanne Bassi (R-Palatine), allows the courts to order an abuser to wear a GPS tracking device as a condition of bail in instances when a restraining order has been violated.
The legislation was sparked by the tragic event surrounding the death of Cindy Bischof whose ex-boyfriend was able to obtain a gun and shoot her in the parking lot of her real estate business, even after he had been arrested and prosecuted for violating a restraining order on two occasions.
“It is with a heavy heart for the Bischof family that I sign this legislation to enhance our state’s protections for domestic abuse victims,” said Governor Blagojevich. “The loss of their daughter was a terrible tragedy, but the Bischof family has used the heartbreak of her death to protect others like Cindy, who live in fear of their abuser. With this legislation, we will further help victims of domestic violence by monitoring their abusers whereabouts and aiding law enforcement in tracking violations of a restraining order.”
The law is effective January 1, 2009.
In a domestic violence case, if a domestic abuser is arrested for violating a restraining order and appeals for bail, the Cindy Bischof Law requires that the abuser must undergo a risk assessment evaluation and gives the court authority to require a GPS device be worn if bail is granted. In addition, the court must order the abuser to be evaluated by a partner abuse intervention program and order the respondent to follow all recommendations. The law also establishes an abuser’s failure to attend and complete a partner abuse intervention program as a new offense if the restraining order is violated.
The new law also adds at least a $200 additional fine to every penalty on a violation of a restraining order conviction. The fines will be deposited into the newly established Domestic Violence Surveillance Fund.
“Our family, friends, and foundation thank the General Assembly and the Governor for acting quickly and decisively to pass this legislation which will go a long way toward helping victims of domestic violence maintain some semblance of freedom from their offender in stalking situations,” said Michael Bischof, brother of Cindy Bischof.
Finally, the bill establishes the Domestic Violence Surveillance Program where the supervising authority over the abuser (whether it is the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Patrol Review Board or the court) will use the most modern GPS technology to track domestic violence offenders and defines what capabilities the GPS tracking system must have. The Division of Probation Services must establish all standards and protocols to implement the program.
The Governor was joined today at the Jane Addams Hull House by Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Plainfield), State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood), State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago), State Representative Patricia Bellock (R-Westmont), State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison), family and friends of Bischof Family, Assistant State’s Attorney Ketki Steffan of the 3rd Municipal District, Denise Snyder of the Illinois Coalition against Domestic Assault, Maria Pesquiera of Mujeres Latina en Accion, and other advocates who provide assistance for domestic violence victims.
“Here today we honor the memory of Cindy Bischof by helping to protect battered women from their abusive stalkers. I am pleased to stand here with this bipartisan group to witness the signing of this important legislation,” said House Minority Leader Cross.
“The Cindy Bischof Law will help law enforcement officials protect families through use of GPS systems, strengthen existing laws for protecting families, and may save lives,” said Senator Garrett.
“It was my honor to be a part of drafting and passing this important piece of legislation which will provide a much greater degree of protection for victims of domestic violence then has thus far been the case,” said Representative Bassi who was out of the state for the bill signing.
The legislation signed by the Governor is similar legislation passed in Massachusetts last year which tracked domestic abusers with GPS and used GPS to enforce protection orders against convicted abusers. Until today, GPS use in Illinois has been only utilized by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice to track sex offenders.
8-21-08 UPDATE: After reading the blog, Ms. Magazine contacted me and let me know about an article they had regarding GPS and tracking offenders. It is located at http://www.msmagazine.com/Summer2008/GPStracking.asp.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Pink and Purple Prevention - Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence
Here is just the coolest idea we got today from our friends at Alternatives Incorporated in Marion County, Indiana.
On October 4 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon they are having an event entitled "Pink and Purple Prevention is our Intention" to raise awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence. It is at Anderson University and is co-sponsored by Alternatives Incorporated, Community Hospital Anderson, Anderson University, Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To view the flier, click on http://www.caepv.org/membercenter/files/pink_and_purple_flyer.pdf.
What a great idea! It is so difficult organizations and employers who feel they have to "choose" between domestic violence awareness activities and breast cancer awareness activities during October -- and this way they do not have to!
I hope others across the country are able to take this idea and run with it! If you would like more information, you can reach out to Mary Jo Lee the CEO of Alternatives Incorporated at
mjlee@alternativesdv.org.
On October 4 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon they are having an event entitled "Pink and Purple Prevention is our Intention" to raise awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence. It is at Anderson University and is co-sponsored by Alternatives Incorporated, Community Hospital Anderson, Anderson University, Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To view the flier, click on http://www.caepv.org/membercenter/files/pink_and_purple_flyer.pdf.
What a great idea! It is so difficult organizations and employers who feel they have to "choose" between domestic violence awareness activities and breast cancer awareness activities during October -- and this way they do not have to!
I hope others across the country are able to take this idea and run with it! If you would like more information, you can reach out to Mary Jo Lee the CEO of Alternatives Incorporated at
mjlee@alternativesdv.org.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Oklahoma Attorney General and Wal-Mart Partner Against Domestic Violence
I know there can be a lot of healthy discussion about the pros and cons of Wal-Mart, but the fact that they are everywhere cannot be disputed. And since that is true, they can provide a truly valuable resource to victims of domestic violence through programs like the one described below which started as a pilot program in Oklahoma and is now going statewide. Wal-Mart also has a similar program with the Attorney General's office in South Carolina.
The YWCA's Oklahoma Safeline has gotten nearly 40-percent busier in four months’ time, said Attorney General Drew Edmonson on Wednesday. And there is good reason to believe that many of the women calling the domestic violence and sexual assault hotline for the first time were Wal-Mart shoppers.
That’s because Wal-Mart and the attorney general’s office had partnered on a pilot program to let more women know there is help available to them if they are suffering from abuse.
For four months, beginning in November 2007, 10 Wal-Mart stores put up informational posters in women’s restrooms and fitting rooms.
The poster shows a woman and young boy, sitting on a public bench, a suitcase and a teddy bear on the ground nearby. The poster reads, in part, “Domestic Violence – Tell Someone … End the Silence, End the Violence.” The posters include small tear-off pads with the Oklahoma Safeline phone number and directions in English or Spanish encouraging the abused to call.
“It’s small, so a woman can put it in her purse or her pocket and call when she’s safe,” said Edmondson. Often, an abused woman will be so controlled by the abuser that she is rarely in public without him. “A quick trip to the Wal-Mart bathroom might be her only opportunity to seek help safely,” said Edmondson. “Our partnership with Wal-Mart has proven invaluable as a means to spread a message.”
The average increase in Safeline calls in the 10 communities where Wal-Mart placed posters was 39.4 percent. Two pilot stores were in Oklahoma City, and two were in Tulsa. In Poteau, Durant, Enid, Miami, Weatherford and Guymon, one store in each community featured the posters.
“It was kind of gradual,” said Stillwell regarding the bump in calls to the hotline. Oklahoma Safeline serves the entire state, but the increase in some areas was substantial. In Clinton, 15 miles west of Weatherford, the local domestic violence and sexual assault center marked a 215-percent increase in services provided.
Wal-Mart spokesperson Angela Stoner said that in many rural areas in particular, the Wal-Mart store serves as the heart of the community, where residents come for living necessities and even to socialize. But the level of the increase in calls to the Safeline was unexpected.
“Once we found out about the increase, we were more committed than ever to take this program to every store in the state,” said Stoner. All 85 Wal-Mart Supercenter and discount stores in Oklahoma will place the posters in restrooms and fitting rooms. Wal-Mart is paying the cost to print the posters.
Usually, when the attorney general mentions a company’s name in a press conference, it is to report wrongdoing, said Edmondson.
“It is a pleasure to talk about a company that has stepped up and committed resources to this pilot project,” said Edmondson, adding that the program is saving lives and changing the lives of women and children for the better.
Last year, 23,000 incidents of domestic violence and sexual abuse were reported in Oklahoma, said Josh Beasley, chief development officer for the YWCA. And typically, only one in seven incidents gets reported, he said.
(And just imagine the response if Wal-Mart stores in more states decided to partner with their attorney general's offices to do this!)
The YWCA's Oklahoma Safeline has gotten nearly 40-percent busier in four months’ time, said Attorney General Drew Edmonson on Wednesday. And there is good reason to believe that many of the women calling the domestic violence and sexual assault hotline for the first time were Wal-Mart shoppers.
That’s because Wal-Mart and the attorney general’s office had partnered on a pilot program to let more women know there is help available to them if they are suffering from abuse.
For four months, beginning in November 2007, 10 Wal-Mart stores put up informational posters in women’s restrooms and fitting rooms.
The poster shows a woman and young boy, sitting on a public bench, a suitcase and a teddy bear on the ground nearby. The poster reads, in part, “Domestic Violence – Tell Someone … End the Silence, End the Violence.” The posters include small tear-off pads with the Oklahoma Safeline phone number and directions in English or Spanish encouraging the abused to call.
“It’s small, so a woman can put it in her purse or her pocket and call when she’s safe,” said Edmondson. Often, an abused woman will be so controlled by the abuser that she is rarely in public without him. “A quick trip to the Wal-Mart bathroom might be her only opportunity to seek help safely,” said Edmondson. “Our partnership with Wal-Mart has proven invaluable as a means to spread a message.”
The average increase in Safeline calls in the 10 communities where Wal-Mart placed posters was 39.4 percent. Two pilot stores were in Oklahoma City, and two were in Tulsa. In Poteau, Durant, Enid, Miami, Weatherford and Guymon, one store in each community featured the posters.
“It was kind of gradual,” said Stillwell regarding the bump in calls to the hotline. Oklahoma Safeline serves the entire state, but the increase in some areas was substantial. In Clinton, 15 miles west of Weatherford, the local domestic violence and sexual assault center marked a 215-percent increase in services provided.
Wal-Mart spokesperson Angela Stoner said that in many rural areas in particular, the Wal-Mart store serves as the heart of the community, where residents come for living necessities and even to socialize. But the level of the increase in calls to the Safeline was unexpected.
“Once we found out about the increase, we were more committed than ever to take this program to every store in the state,” said Stoner. All 85 Wal-Mart Supercenter and discount stores in Oklahoma will place the posters in restrooms and fitting rooms. Wal-Mart is paying the cost to print the posters.
Usually, when the attorney general mentions a company’s name in a press conference, it is to report wrongdoing, said Edmondson.
“It is a pleasure to talk about a company that has stepped up and committed resources to this pilot project,” said Edmondson, adding that the program is saving lives and changing the lives of women and children for the better.
Last year, 23,000 incidents of domestic violence and sexual abuse were reported in Oklahoma, said Josh Beasley, chief development officer for the YWCA. And typically, only one in seven incidents gets reported, he said.
(And just imagine the response if Wal-Mart stores in more states decided to partner with their attorney general's offices to do this!)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
SAFEWORK 2010 ADDS ANOTHER CEO TO ITS ROSTER
We are pleased to announce Marcia Nagle, President of Longview Associates, Inc., as the newest member of SafeWork 2010. Founded in 1979, Longview Associates, Inc. is a pioneer in the employee assistance program (EAP) industry. Today, Longview Associates, Inc. provides comprehensive personalized programs to the management and employees of over 100 local and national corporations, hospitals, school districts, and other non-profit organizations.
The growing SafeWork 2010 list includes:
Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Insurance Company*
Louis C. Camilleri, Altria Group, Inc.*
Andrea Jung, Avon Products, Inc.*
Jens Bang, Cone, LLC
Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank
Andrea Wong, Lifetime Entertainment Services*
William McComb, Liz Claiborne Inc.*
Marcia Nagle, Longview Associates, Inc.*
David B. Holl, Mary Kay Inc.*
Andrew R. Urban, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente*
Emanuel Chirico, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Steve Jacaruso, Le Sportsac
Neil L. Rubler, Vantage Properties, LLC
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless*
*CAEPV Member
All of the above CEOs have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge. And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
The growing SafeWork 2010 list includes:
Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate Insurance Company*
Louis C. Camilleri, Altria Group, Inc.*
Andrea Jung, Avon Products, Inc.*
Jens Bang, Cone, LLC
Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank
Andrea Wong, Lifetime Entertainment Services*
William McComb, Liz Claiborne Inc.*
Marcia Nagle, Longview Associates, Inc.*
David B. Holl, Mary Kay Inc.*
Andrew R. Urban, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente*
Emanuel Chirico, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Steve Jacaruso, Le Sportsac
Neil L. Rubler, Vantage Properties, LLC
Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless*
*CAEPV Member
All of the above CEOs have signed the SafeWork 2010 Pledge. And what is the Pledge? It is very simple:
I am committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence in the workplace. I recognize that domestic violence impacts my employees, my company and my business. Therefore, I pledge to take action, lead change, and raise awareness as a member of SafeWork 2010.
CEOs sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, committing to address the impact of domestic violence in their workplace. To help them learn more about SafeWork 2010, they receive an awesome CEO Action Kit created by Safe Horizon and CAEPV provided by the generous support of The Allstate Foundation.
If you are interested in having your CEO sign the SafeWork 2010 Pledge, contact Joanna Colangelo at Safe Horizon at joanna.colangelo@safehorizon.org.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Liz Claiborne and National Association of Attorneys General Team Up to Help Tweens and Parents Recognize Abusive Relationships - Before They Start
Liz Claiborne Inc. released a survey on July 8 (today) that a surprising number of young adolescents are experiencing significant levels of dating violence and abuse. One in five children between the ages of 13 and 14 (20%) say their friends are victims of dating violence and nearly half of all tweens in relationships say they know friends who are verbally abused. Alarmingly, 40% of the youngest tweens, those between the ages of 11 and 12, report that their friends are victims of verbal abuse in relationships and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) say their friends have had sex.
Liz Claiborne Inc. and www.loveisrespect.org (the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline), commissioned the survey on Tween and Teen dating relationships that was conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) to explore how relationships among young adolescents are fueling high levels of dating violence and abuse.
Recognizing the significance of this alarming trend in tween sexual activity and dating abuse, President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, along with Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, introduced an unprecedented initiative that was unanimously passed at NAAG’s June meeting to ensure that all Attorneys General work to incorporate a teen dating violence and abuse curriculum in every school in their states.
“Over the past four years Liz Claiborne Inc. has conducted research into the many aspects of teen dating abuse. What makes this current study so disturbing is the clear and unexpected finding that dating abuse and violence begins at such a young age,” says Jane Randel, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Liz Claiborne Inc. “We applaud the willingness of Attorney General Lynch to push for the introduction of education about dating abuse in schools across the country. This research shows just how urgently this information is needed.”
This Teen Dating Violence Education Resolution is inspired by the Lindsay Ann Burke Act, a law proposed by Attorney General Lynch that became effective in Rhode Island in July 2007. The Act, named in the honor of Lindsay Ann Burke, who was murdered after a 2-year struggle in an abusive relationship, requires all school districts in Rhode Island to teach about the signs of dating violence and abuse every year from grades 7- 12. Attorney General Lynch and Lindsay’s parents, Ann and Christopher Burke, will join Jane Randel at a press conference to announce the data findings and the Attorneys General’s new initiative to combat dating abuse.
“We are committed to addressing this issue through education. Abuse and violence in intimate partner relationships not only cause great individual pain, but this destructive behavior also breaks down families, communities and our larger society,” says Attorney General Lynch. “A curriculum such as Liz Claiborne Inc.’s Love Is Not Abuse is an effective way to begin the process of education, prevent abuse, and help to save lives.”
Liz Claiborne Inc.’s Love Is Not Abuse curriculum aims to raise awareness about the problem of dating abuse, recommend resources that provide assistance, such as loveisrespect.org, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, and ultimately, help prevent dating abuse from occurring in the future. The curriculum was piloted around the country in October 2005 and was officially launched in April 2006. As of June 2008, this free curriculum has been distributed to approximately 3,500 schools and organizations across all 50 states.
“We know from experience that education can be one of the best means of prevention. My fellow Attorneys General and I are committed to ensuring that education on teen dating abuse is provided in schools across America,” says Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. “We are grateful to Liz Claiborne, Inc., for their work on this important issue and look forward to working with them to combat this problem and keep teens safe.”
To help analyze the new survey findings, Liz Claiborne Inc. recruited the country’s top ten leading experts on tween and teen dating abuse to assess the data. Experts found high levels of tween and teen dating abuse combined with a lack of knowledge from both parents and children on the signs of harmful dating. The results clearly imply that there is a great need for more parental education and involvement, and schools need to institute teen dating abuse curriculum beginning as early as 6th grade.
“The survey’s data on the extent of emotional and controlling behaviors among tweens are the most critical additions to our current knowledge of abuse in adolescent relationships,” says Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the U.C. Davis School of Medicine. “The numbers of tweens in relationships who report experiencing emotional abuse and controlling behaviors are staggering. Clearly this shows that many young people are already experiencing unhealthy relationships early on (even in the absence of sexual activity), many recognize these behaviors as not acceptable, but few know where to seek help or how to help a friend.”
Among the key findings:
Dating relationships begin much earlier than expected
Ø Nearly three in four tweens (72%) say boyfriend/girlfriend relationships usually begin at age 14 or younger.
Ø More than one in three 11-12 year olds (37%) say they have been in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
Surprising levels of abusive behavior reported in tween (11-14) dating relationships.
Ø 62% of tweens who have been in a relationship say they know friends who have been verbally abused (called stupid, worthless, ugly, etc) by a boyfriend/girlfriend.
Ø Two in five (41%) tweens who have been in a relationship know friends who have been called names, put down, or insulted via cellphone, IM, social networking sites (such as MySpace and Facebook), etc.
Ø One in five 13-14 year olds in relationships (20%) say they know friends and peers who have been struck in anger (kicked, hit, slapped, or punched) by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Ø Only half of all tweens (51%) claim to know the warning signs of a bad/hurtful relationship.
Significant numbers of teens (15-18) are experiencing emotional and mental abuse as well as violence in their dating relationships; this is even more prevalent among teens that have had sex by the age of 14.
Ø More than one in three teens report that their partners wanted to know where they were (36%) and who they were with (37%) all the time.
Among teens who had sex by age 14, it’s much higher (58% and 59%, respectively).
Ø 29% of teens say their boyfriends/girlfriends call them names and put them down, compared to 58% of teens who had sex by age 14.
Ø 22% of teens say they were pressured to do things they did not want to do, compared to 45% of teens who had sex by age 14.
Ø 69% of all teens who had sex by age 14 said they have gone through one or more types of abuse in a relationship.
“As a sexuality educator, it is impossible for me to look at this data without acknowledging the cultural implications and perhaps reasons for the statistics,” says Dr. Logan Levkoff, PhD, Author, and Human Sexuality Expert. “I believe the biggest problem is that parents are not doing their job. Parents are not talking to their teens about healthy and responsible sexuality.”
The survey found that parents think they know about their tweens dating experiences, but many are in the dark about what their kids are actually doing. Results show that:
Ø More than three times as many tweens (20%) as parents (6%) admit that parents know little or nothing about the tweens’ dating relationships.
Ø Twice as many tweens report having “hooked up” with a partner (17%) as parents reported of their own 11-14 year old child (8%).
“The survey data demonstrates that although parents maintain they are discussing relationships with their teens, this is not the same as discussing violence and abuse in relationships,” says Cindy Southworth, Director of Technology, National Network to End Domestic Violence. “It is clear parents need to talk to teens/tweens and schools need to encourage healthy relationship programs at an earlier age. The survey indicates that ‘tweens are involved in relationships that they consider serious,’ therefore parents need to talk prevention before dating starts. In the same way that parents currently tell 5- year olds that smoking is bad, they need to say that people who love each other shouldn’t hit/punch/kick/hurt each other.”
###
Survey Methodology
Liz Claiborne Inc. commissioned Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) to conduct quantitative research among tweens (ages 11-14), parents of tweens, and teens (ages 15-18) who have been in a relationship. The research pertained to young dating relationships and the presence/absence of sexual activity and abusive behaviors. TRU independently sampled the three groups and fielded a customized 15-minute survey online to each group from January 2-18, 2008; TRU chose online as the data-collection method for this research not only because of its high penetration (92%) among this population, but also because of the sensitive nature of the content, allowing young people to answer candidly (i.e., no adult interviewer) within the context of their preferred communications method. A total of 1,043 tweens, 523 parents, and 626 teens completed the survey, resulting in a margin of error (at the 95% confidence level) of ±3.0 percentage points for tweens in total, ±3.9 points for parents, and ±4.1 points for teens (±5.5 among those 17-18).
To view the video about the survey from the CBS Early Show go to http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4240522n
Liz Claiborne Inc. and www.loveisrespect.org (the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline), commissioned the survey on Tween and Teen dating relationships that was conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) to explore how relationships among young adolescents are fueling high levels of dating violence and abuse.
Recognizing the significance of this alarming trend in tween sexual activity and dating abuse, President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, along with Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, introduced an unprecedented initiative that was unanimously passed at NAAG’s June meeting to ensure that all Attorneys General work to incorporate a teen dating violence and abuse curriculum in every school in their states.
“Over the past four years Liz Claiborne Inc. has conducted research into the many aspects of teen dating abuse. What makes this current study so disturbing is the clear and unexpected finding that dating abuse and violence begins at such a young age,” says Jane Randel, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Liz Claiborne Inc. “We applaud the willingness of Attorney General Lynch to push for the introduction of education about dating abuse in schools across the country. This research shows just how urgently this information is needed.”
This Teen Dating Violence Education Resolution is inspired by the Lindsay Ann Burke Act, a law proposed by Attorney General Lynch that became effective in Rhode Island in July 2007. The Act, named in the honor of Lindsay Ann Burke, who was murdered after a 2-year struggle in an abusive relationship, requires all school districts in Rhode Island to teach about the signs of dating violence and abuse every year from grades 7- 12. Attorney General Lynch and Lindsay’s parents, Ann and Christopher Burke, will join Jane Randel at a press conference to announce the data findings and the Attorneys General’s new initiative to combat dating abuse.
“We are committed to addressing this issue through education. Abuse and violence in intimate partner relationships not only cause great individual pain, but this destructive behavior also breaks down families, communities and our larger society,” says Attorney General Lynch. “A curriculum such as Liz Claiborne Inc.’s Love Is Not Abuse is an effective way to begin the process of education, prevent abuse, and help to save lives.”
Liz Claiborne Inc.’s Love Is Not Abuse curriculum aims to raise awareness about the problem of dating abuse, recommend resources that provide assistance, such as loveisrespect.org, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, and ultimately, help prevent dating abuse from occurring in the future. The curriculum was piloted around the country in October 2005 and was officially launched in April 2006. As of June 2008, this free curriculum has been distributed to approximately 3,500 schools and organizations across all 50 states.
“We know from experience that education can be one of the best means of prevention. My fellow Attorneys General and I are committed to ensuring that education on teen dating abuse is provided in schools across America,” says Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. “We are grateful to Liz Claiborne, Inc., for their work on this important issue and look forward to working with them to combat this problem and keep teens safe.”
To help analyze the new survey findings, Liz Claiborne Inc. recruited the country’s top ten leading experts on tween and teen dating abuse to assess the data. Experts found high levels of tween and teen dating abuse combined with a lack of knowledge from both parents and children on the signs of harmful dating. The results clearly imply that there is a great need for more parental education and involvement, and schools need to institute teen dating abuse curriculum beginning as early as 6th grade.
“The survey’s data on the extent of emotional and controlling behaviors among tweens are the most critical additions to our current knowledge of abuse in adolescent relationships,” says Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the U.C. Davis School of Medicine. “The numbers of tweens in relationships who report experiencing emotional abuse and controlling behaviors are staggering. Clearly this shows that many young people are already experiencing unhealthy relationships early on (even in the absence of sexual activity), many recognize these behaviors as not acceptable, but few know where to seek help or how to help a friend.”
Among the key findings:
Dating relationships begin much earlier than expected
Ø Nearly three in four tweens (72%) say boyfriend/girlfriend relationships usually begin at age 14 or younger.
Ø More than one in three 11-12 year olds (37%) say they have been in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
Surprising levels of abusive behavior reported in tween (11-14) dating relationships.
Ø 62% of tweens who have been in a relationship say they know friends who have been verbally abused (called stupid, worthless, ugly, etc) by a boyfriend/girlfriend.
Ø Two in five (41%) tweens who have been in a relationship know friends who have been called names, put down, or insulted via cellphone, IM, social networking sites (such as MySpace and Facebook), etc.
Ø One in five 13-14 year olds in relationships (20%) say they know friends and peers who have been struck in anger (kicked, hit, slapped, or punched) by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Ø Only half of all tweens (51%) claim to know the warning signs of a bad/hurtful relationship.
Significant numbers of teens (15-18) are experiencing emotional and mental abuse as well as violence in their dating relationships; this is even more prevalent among teens that have had sex by the age of 14.
Ø More than one in three teens report that their partners wanted to know where they were (36%) and who they were with (37%) all the time.
Among teens who had sex by age 14, it’s much higher (58% and 59%, respectively).
Ø 29% of teens say their boyfriends/girlfriends call them names and put them down, compared to 58% of teens who had sex by age 14.
Ø 22% of teens say they were pressured to do things they did not want to do, compared to 45% of teens who had sex by age 14.
Ø 69% of all teens who had sex by age 14 said they have gone through one or more types of abuse in a relationship.
“As a sexuality educator, it is impossible for me to look at this data without acknowledging the cultural implications and perhaps reasons for the statistics,” says Dr. Logan Levkoff, PhD, Author, and Human Sexuality Expert. “I believe the biggest problem is that parents are not doing their job. Parents are not talking to their teens about healthy and responsible sexuality.”
The survey found that parents think they know about their tweens dating experiences, but many are in the dark about what their kids are actually doing. Results show that:
Ø More than three times as many tweens (20%) as parents (6%) admit that parents know little or nothing about the tweens’ dating relationships.
Ø Twice as many tweens report having “hooked up” with a partner (17%) as parents reported of their own 11-14 year old child (8%).
“The survey data demonstrates that although parents maintain they are discussing relationships with their teens, this is not the same as discussing violence and abuse in relationships,” says Cindy Southworth, Director of Technology, National Network to End Domestic Violence. “It is clear parents need to talk to teens/tweens and schools need to encourage healthy relationship programs at an earlier age. The survey indicates that ‘tweens are involved in relationships that they consider serious,’ therefore parents need to talk prevention before dating starts. In the same way that parents currently tell 5- year olds that smoking is bad, they need to say that people who love each other shouldn’t hit/punch/kick/hurt each other.”
###
Survey Methodology
Liz Claiborne Inc. commissioned Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) to conduct quantitative research among tweens (ages 11-14), parents of tweens, and teens (ages 15-18) who have been in a relationship. The research pertained to young dating relationships and the presence/absence of sexual activity and abusive behaviors. TRU independently sampled the three groups and fielded a customized 15-minute survey online to each group from January 2-18, 2008; TRU chose online as the data-collection method for this research not only because of its high penetration (92%) among this population, but also because of the sensitive nature of the content, allowing young people to answer candidly (i.e., no adult interviewer) within the context of their preferred communications method. A total of 1,043 tweens, 523 parents, and 626 teens completed the survey, resulting in a margin of error (at the 95% confidence level) of ±3.0 percentage points for tweens in total, ±3.9 points for parents, and ±4.1 points for teens (±5.5 among those 17-18).
To view the video about the survey from the CBS Early Show go to http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4240522n
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)