The Hotline Recognizes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Major Initiatives

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of National Domestic Violence Month this October, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) has embarked on an unprecedented level of awareness-generating activities and partnerships to spread the word about healthy relationships and the affect domestic violence has on our communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 12 million women and men across the U.S. experience physical violence each year by a current or former intimate partner. While shocking, this statistic does not take into account psychological violence, which continues to grow in impact among adults as well as teens.

The Hotline's goal is to eradicate these statistics and provide life-saving resources to the millions of people affected by domestic abuse. With a number of groundbreaking activities planned for October, the organization plans to make significant strides in educating the public about domestic violence this month.  "We can stop domestic violence through education and prevention work; however, resources are limited, and we need everyone's help to do it," said Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.  "Partnering with other organizations in creative ways and leveraging resources can make a huge difference."

Partnerships: While The Hotline is a long-established and respected organization, partnering with major corporations, passionate advocates and other nonprofits will help the organization reach a much broader audience. This month, The Hotline will work with both existing and new partners. Initiatives include:

• Verizon Purple Accessories Campaign: For many years, Verizon has been committed to bringing attention to domestic violence and supporting survivors through its HopeLine program. Throughout October, Verizon will offer an exclusive line of purple accessories, and will donate a portion of each sale, up to $100,000 to The Hotline. Verizon's gift will allow The Hotline to expand the services we provide to help even more victims and survivors, as well as their concerned loved ones. To learn more, visit http://www.verizon.com/hopeline.
  
  
• Pass the Peace: For the second year, The Hotline will partner with the Why Not You Foundation, an organization created by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with the objective of empowering change in the world one individual at a time. This campaign challenges the public to step up and Pass the Peace by raising money and awareness for domestic and dating violence prevention. You can participate by uploading a video of yourself passing a ball, which represents the idea of "passing the peace." Along with a video, participants can make a $12 or more donation to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and challenge friends to do the same. Pass the Peace apparel will also be available for purchase at www.whynotyoufdn.org and all sales will go toward funding The Hotline. To donate, visit www.support.thehotline.org/passthepeace or text "PassthePeace" to 41444.
  
  
• Americans for Responsible Solutions: The Hotline will partner with ARS for a joint webinar at 2 p.m. CT on Oct. 27. The webinar, entitled "A Deeper Conversation: The Intersection of Firearms and Domestic Violence," will take a look at how the presence of a firearm in an abusive relationship intensifies the fear of abuse victims. It will also explore what can be done to provide greater protections to domestic violence victims and survivors. To register, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1799271983386035714.
  
  
• Empowered: Women, HIV & Intimate Partner Violence: This campaign from Greater Than AIDS is designed to increase understanding concerning intersection of HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. Produced by Kaiser Family Foundation in partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Planned Parenthood, Positive Women's Network, The Well Project and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, the campaign is anchored by a video featuring Tonya Lewis Lee—lawyer and women's health advocate—in conversation with women with HIV who have experienced abuse. A community tool kit is available free to support organizations serving women. Materials will be available for viewing at http://empowered.greaterthan.org.

Beyond these milestone partnerships, The Hotline will increase awareness about domestic violence through its blog and social media channels all month long. While incredible strides have been made since the first National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was recognized 28 years ago in 1987, the nation has a long way to go in eradicating this issue that affects more than 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the U.S. today. You can help make this happen by participating in The Hotline's partnership activities this month, as well as educating yourself and those around you about domestic violence or making a donation at http://www.thehotline.org/get-involved/donate/.

Supporting Resources

• Become a fan of The Hotline on Facebook
• Follow The Hotline on Twitter
• Visit http://www.loveisrespect.org/ for information and support surrounding abusive dating relationships

About The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a non-profit organization established in 1996 as a component of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Operating around the clock, confidential and free of cost, The Hotline provides victims and survivors with life-saving tools and immediate support. Callers to the hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) can expect highly trained advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in more than 200 languages.  Visitors to TheHotline.org can chat live with advocates and they can find information about domestic violence, safety planning, local resources, and ways to support the organization.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline relies on the generous support of individuals, private gifts from corporations and foundations and federal grants.  It is funded in part by Grant Number 90EV0407/03 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of HHS.

Press Contact:
Maribel Bruno
[email protected] 
(512) 983-6665

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SOURCE The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Related Links

http://www.thehotline.org