GROUNDBREAKING EFFORT LAUNCHES TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

As part of NO MORE week, on March 18, 2014 I was privileged to attend a first of it's kind meeting at the White House: a roundtable of business leaders and advocates called upon to discuss building public-private partnerships aimed at helping end domestic violence and sexual assault in the United States. The meeting served as an opportunity to share strategies and concrete steps companies can take to address violence in their workplaces and communities. 

During the gathering, we heard from several companies that are working to improve the status quo, including Avon, Macy’s, Allstate, Viacom, and Kaiser Permanente.

 

 

The outcome?  Major corporations joined forces to pledge millions of dollars in new commitments to help end domestic violence and sexual assault as part of a groundbreaking effort to increase private sector support of these urgent issues. For several of the corporations this is their first, significant and public endeavor to support domestic violence and sexual assault awareness, two issues that many corporations have historically shied away from tackling.

 

The corporate commitments announced this week to address domestic violence and sexual assault include:

 

• Allstate Foundation: Announced a 50 percent increase in funding for financial empowerment services benefitting domestic violence survivors.
• Avon Foundation for Women: Announced three grants to create and disseminate three targeted prevention and intervention training tools to help bystanders – families, friends and strangers – recognize, respond and make appropriate referrals in situations when partner violence, dating abuse or sexual assault are suspected or observed.
• Finn Partners: Committed to provide pro bono communications and public relations counsel for the NO MORE symbol and movement.
• GUESS?, Inc. / GUESS Foundation: Announced an investment to support the roll-out of Peace Over Violence’s annual sexual violence awareness campaign, Denim Day. The commitment includes a donation of $100,000, the participation of more than 400 stores under the GUESS? Inc. umbrella including messaging in storefront windows, online and mobile marketing, and print PSA’s in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue and Lucky magazines.
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Announced a donation to the NO MORE public awareness effort to end domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Mary Kay: Committed $1 million to the loveisrespect text for help service that provides young people with resources and support to have healthy dating relationships, as well as $100,000 to support Break the Cycle’s, “NO MORE Silence: It’s Time To Talk Day,” a nationwide parent-child engagement campaign to prevent teen dating violence on Feb. 4, 2014.
• USA Network: Committed to airing a 16-hour “NO MORE Silence” marathon of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) on April 27, 2014 to commemorate National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Throughout the marathon, which will be hosted by SVU cast members, USA Network will air NO MORE PSAs, direct viewers to contact national help resources and highlight NO MORE on social media.
• Valeant Pharmaceuticals: Pledged to donate a goal of $1 million from sales of its aesthetic injectable, Obagi, and dermatology products to support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in serving survivors of domestic violence and educating communities about this issue. To date Valeant’s support has reached 19,000 women and enabled NCADV to expand many of its initiatives. 
• Verizon Wireless: Committed $75,000 to support Break the Cycle’s “It’s Time To Talk Day,” which included the creation of a teen dating violence prevention PSA. Additionally, the spot will air across Verizon’s FiOS platform throughout May 2014.
• Viacom: Announced an investment to produce and disseminate new, NO MORE PSAs, co-directed by Founder & President of the Joyful Heart Foundation, Actress Mariska Hargitay and Executive Vice President of Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions, Viacom Music and Entertainment, Niels Schuurmans. The PSAs will air across a variety of Viacom's networks.

 

NO MORE, a unifying symbol for domestic violence and sexual assault, works to generate support and resources to help domestic violence and sexual assault prevention organizations. These organizations are partners of NO MORE:

• 1in6, Inc.
• Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Safe Horizon
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
• Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault
• A CALL TO MEN
• U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women
• California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• National Network to End Domestic Violence
• National Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project
• Futures Without Violence
• Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation
• Joyful Heart Foundation
• Casa de Esperanza
• Break the Cycle
• Men Can Stop Rape
• National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
• Peace Over Violence
• YWCA USA

To learn more about NO MORE visit www.nomore.org.  To learn more about the work of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV) and how we help workplaces address domestic violence, visit us at www.caepv.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CorporateAlliancetoEndPartnerViolence.

 

Save The Date: It's Time to Talk Day 2014

More information to come!  In the meantime, visit www.itstimetotalkday.org. And get ready to "take a moment to talk" about dating abuse.

WELCOME TO "NO MORE"

On "NO MORE Day" new national survey reinforces urgent need for increased awareness and education on

domestic violence and sexual assault prevention

 

 

March 13, 2013 –  Today, major domestic violence and sexual assault prevention organizations across the U.S. have joined forces with corporate leaders, branding experts, celebrities, athletes and advocates nationwide to launch the first unifying branding symbol (like the pink breast cancer ribbon and the red AIDS ribbon) for domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA), called NO MORE.

 

NO MORE is designed to unify everyone working to combat these issues in an unprecedented way – whether their focus is women and girls, men and boys, teenagers, children, minorities, rural or urban communities  as well as corporate leaders from a variety of business sectors - behind one, powerful brand created to transform awareness and action.

 

NO MORE has been in the making since 2009 and was developed because despite the significant progress that has been made in raising awareness around these issues, they remain hidden and on the margins of public concern.

 

The Public Launch of NO MORE – “NO MORE Day”

 

To introduce NO MORE to the general public, a wide range of supporters including Actor and Advocate Mariska Hargitay, the President and Founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, and Ashley Greene, actress and Avon’s mark Brand Ambassador, are in Washington DC, on March 13, 2013, NO MORE Day to demonstrate their support for this unprecedented initiative.

 

Mariska Hargitay, well known for her leading role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will urge communities to say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault during a Newsmaker event in the National Press Club’s Holeman Lounge at 12:30 pm. She will also address the backlog of rape evidence collection kits (rape kits) nationwide, which is allowing rapists to get away with their crimes.

 

Ashley Greene, another advocate for NO MORE, will announce new data from the “NO MORE Study: Teens and Young Adults,” funded by mPowerment by mark operated by the Avon Foundation for Women on the grim reality of dating violence and sexual assault for 15 – 22-year-olds in this country.

 

Conducted by GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, the survey shows an urgent need for increased awareness and education around dating violence and sexual assault, with an emphasis on the simple things the public can do to prevent violence and help victims before it is too late.

 

According to the study, more than half of young people (15-22 year olds) know a victim of dating violence or sexual assault, but say it would be hard for them to intervene or help a victim. Forty percent said they would not know what to do if they witnessed these crimes. Many report that they want to help, but they are uncertain how to recognize dating violence and sexual assault and do not know how to safely get help for victims.

 

Key findings of the NO MORE study include:

 

• 51% of all 15-22-year-olds in the United States know a victim of dating violence or sexual assault.
• 53% say it would be hard for them to help a victim of dating violence or sexual assault.
• 40% say that they would not know what to do if they witnessed a sexual assault or dating violence.
• 1 in 3 young women and nearly 1 in 2 young men say they do not know the signs of sexual assault.
• 62% agree that talking about dating abuse and sexual assault would make it easier for them to step in and help someone.

 Other NO MORE day events include exclusive screenings of the Academy Award Nominated documentary, The Invisible War, in various cities, “NO MORE Night” at the Washington Wizards vs Milwaukee Bucks NBA game and a NO MORE Day Twitter Chat (using hashtag #NOMOREday March 13, at 3 p.m. EST) where any and every supporter of NO MORE can lend their voice powerfully to help end domestic and sexual violence.

 

Volunteers and financial support from organizations and individuals who care deeply about ending domestic violence and sexual assault, including the Allstate Foundation, the AVON Foundation for Women, Fifth & Pacific Foundation, Finn Partners, the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Verizon Foundation helped make the NO MORE symbol a reality. In addition, representatives from nearly every major domestic violence and sexual assault prevention organization in the country have supported the vision for NO MORE’s potential to revolutionize how these issues are seen by the public. 

 

The following organizations support NO MORE: 

·            A CALL TO MEN

·            Break the Cycle

·            California Coalition Against Sexual Assault

·            Casa de Esperanza

·            Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence

·            Futures Without Violence

·            Joyful Heart Foundation

·            Men Can Stop Rape

·            National Alliance to End Sexual Violence

·            National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

·            National Domestic Violence Hotline

·            National Network to End Domestic Violence

·            National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

·            National Sexual Violence Resource Center

·            Resources Sharing Project

·            Safe Horizon

·            Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault

·            U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women

 

The official sponsors of NO MORE Day are the Allstate Foundation, the Avon Foundation for Women, Fifth and Pacific Foundation, the Joyful Heart Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Patton Boggs LLP and the Verizon Foundation.

About NO MORE

NO MORE is a new, overarching symbol, like the pink breast cancer ribbon and the yellow support our troops ribbon, that is bringing together all people, organizations and communities that support ending domestic violence and sexual assault in our society. It has been in the making since 2009 and was developed because despite the significant progress that has been made in raising awareness around these issues, they remain hidden and on the margins of public concern. For more information on NO MORE, to get involved or to get the symbol, visit www.nomore.org and get updates on Twitter @NOMOREorg or Facebook www.facebook.com/NOMORE,org.

The history of NO MORE

The NO MORE symbol has been in the making since 2009. It was developed because despite the significant progress that has been made in the visibility of domestic violence and sexual assault, these problems affecting millions remain hidden and on the margins of public concern. Hundreds of representatives from the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention field came together and agreed that a new, overarching symbol, uniting all people working to end these problems, could have a dramatic impact on the public’s awareness.

The signature blue vanishing point originated from the concept of a zero - as in zero incidences of domestic violence and sexual assault. It was inspired by Christine Mau, a survivor of domestic violence and sexual abuse who is now the Director of European Designs at Kimberly-Clark. The symbol was designed by Sterling Brands, and focus group tested with diverse audiences across the country who agreed that the symbol was memorable, needed and important.

 

Join Us On NO MORE Day!

On March 13th we’ll celebrate the first official NO MORE Day and hope that you can be part of it!

What is NO MORE? NO MORE is a groundbreaking symbol (like the pink breast cancer ribbon and the red AIDS ribbon) designed to galvanize change and radically increase the awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities.

The day will kick-off with a launch event where students, survivors, advocates and community leaders will gather to activate this grassroots campaign. Later that day we’ll make an announcement on Capitol Hill and that evening NO MORE will get special recognition at a Washington Wizards’ home game.

While many events will be taking place in Washington, DC, you don't HAVE to be in Washington to join NO MORE Day - you can be anywhere!

Stay tuned for updates on how you can participate in local events, a twitter chat, and for other ways to support for NO MORE on NO MORE Day from wherever you are on Twitter (#NOMOREDay) and Facebook.

If you’d like more information about NO MORE Day to be sent to you directly, or are interested in attending the NO MORE Day festivities, please go to www.nomore.org, go to the contact page and drop a note with the subject line “NO MORE Day."  You'll be updated on the latest info!

What is our "Call to Action"?  It is very simple:

KNOW MORE. Learn the signs of domestic violence and listen without judgment to victims/survivors of sexual assault. Get the facts and know the resources available.

Say NO MORE. Break the silence. Speak out. Seek help when you see this problem or harassment of any kind in your family, your community, your workplace or school.

Share NO MORE.   Share the NO MORE symbol with everyone you know. Facebook it. Tweet it. Pin it. Instagram it.Email it. Wear it. Help to increase awareness about the extent of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Visit the NO MORE Shop at nomore.org.

Ensure NO MORE.  Get involved. Volunteer in your community, or donate to a local, state or national domestic violence or sexual assault organization.

More ideas for ACTION:

Use your Social Media voice via Facebook and Twitter to THUNDERCLAP IT and say NO MORE on #NOMOREDay 3/13/13:  https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/1533
 

Show your support by joining through Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NOMORE.org#!/events/325690754209615/permalink/325690757542948/

Share the video PSA for NO MORE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQpuODcp6Iw

Participate in a Twitter Chat at 3 PM ET using the hashtag #NOMOREday.
 

You can also join the conversation and follow the day's events as they unfold by connecting with NO MORE on social media at www.fb.com/NOMOREorg and www.twitter.com/NOMOREorg.

 

We look forward to having you join us as we all say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault on 3/13/13!

“YOUR VOICE COUNTS” – Speak Up Against Domestic Violence

 

 

In connection with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Verizon Foundation has launched a new “Your Voice Counts” campaign in recognition that all Americans can play a role in ending domestic violence by promoting healthy relationships and changing attitudes that perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

 

The campaign is being launched in partnership with A CALL TO MEN, the Joyful Heart Foundation, and NOMORE – and it contains valuable information on how men can make a difference in their communities and speak out against domestic violence.  “Your Voice Counts” aims to mobilize men and women together in a way that has never been done before.

 

The campaign targets men of all ages and provides them with new tools and resources to empower them to speak out against this issue and set the example for others.  To kick off the campaign, the Verizon Foundation teamed up with well-known NFL sportscaster, James Brown, to create a powerful PSA that captures compelling stories of men and women whose lives have been deeply affected by domestic violence. 

 

They worked with the experts at A CALL TO MEN and the Joyful Heart Foundation to create an Action Guide that outlines five simple ways we can all get involved - including suggestions for confronting abusive language, tips on talking to young people and directions for what to do if domestic violence is suspected.

 

I hope you will help us spread the word about “Your Voice Counts” by:

 

·         Viewing the PSA and Action Guide at: www.verizonfoundation.org/yourvoicecounts

·         Sharing Your Voice Counts with others by adding this info. to your e-mail signature: Your Voice Counts.  Speak up against Domestic Violence.  www.verizonfoundation.org/yourvoicecounts

·         Using some of the sample tweets and Facebook updates developed for the campaign (below)

 

Facebook: Your Voice Counts. And when it comes to domestic violence - it could save a life. Watch and share this new video from @The Verizon Foundation. NFL Sportscaster James Brown speaks with survivors and encourages us all, especially men, to speak up and speak to someone about domestic violence. http://vz.to/OgVvyw

 

Twitter: #YourVoiceCounts & it could save a life http://vz.to/OgVvyw @VerizonGiving #ACALLTOMEN @TheJHF @JBSportscaster @NOMOREorg

 

Together, we can end the cycle of violence and abuse in our communities.