Batterers are criminals, but they are real people — not villains. We would never fall in love with them, or trust them with our love, in the first place if they were so obviously horrific. I’m not defending batterers — they need to come clean and take responsibility for their actions and their treatment, and you should never stay with an abusive man, no matter how much good you see in him, and how much you feel you love him.  But it’s destructive for our society to paint a batterer in black and white terms.  The hidden message perversely blames the victim: “How could she have fallen in love with such an awful man?”  The truth is far more complex and dangerous.

It was so hard to recognize that I was being abused, and to leave my abusive partner, but I have gotten tremendous solace and support by joining the Million Voices campaign and by sharing my story in my book Crazy Love and a YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEsElsHrvC0

If you want to tell your story, please join The Crazy Love Project, a safe place for people to share stories of surviving abusive love (anonymously if you prefer).
I hope one day we hear Rihanna’s story. And Chris Brown’s. And yours.
Leslie Morgan Steiner
http://www.lesliemorgansteiner.com

NAPLES, FL –8/21/08 – Join Jacquelyn Pierce, 2006-2008 General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) International President, as she shares her experiences in the global effort to end domestic violence during the Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s 2009 Mending Broken Hearts with Hope signature luncheon, taking place at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009, at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road.

Presented by the Guild of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, and starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009, at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, the Shelter luncheon will feature Pierce speaking about the impact domestic violence has on individuals and communities around the globe, the importance of individual action in breaking the cycle of abuse, as well as the Million Voices Campaign. 

A collaborative effort with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Lifetime Television, the Million Voices Campaign is an effort to secure one million individual pledges to end domestic violence. This campaign joins Pierce’s other advocacy efforts, including lobbying for the Violence Against Women Act, in ensuring her standing as a true leader in ending domestic violence.

As a GFWC Junior in her home state of Illinois, Pierce volunteered in nursing homes focusing on elder abuse. As GFWC Illinois State President, this service became her special project which received both state and national recognition. Within the GFWC, she has served her home state with distinction as Club President and rose through the ranks to serve on the National Board of Directors in various positions from the Membership Committee to President-elect and International President.

A member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, University of Illinois President’s Council, and the American Seminar Leaders, Pierce holds a BS in Education from Illinois State and a MA in Administration from the University of Illinois. She is listed in “Outstanding Young Women of America;” “Women Leaders of America;” and “The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership.”

A nonprofit organization, the Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s  is the state-certified domestic violence center in Collier County, FL, and provides a wide array of innovative program and services to victims and survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner abuse.

The 2009 Mending Broken Hearts with Hope Luncheon features an exciting raffle, dynamic silent auction and engaging luncheon. Tickets are $300 per person; $1,000 Patron. Raffle tickets are $35 each or four for $100. Sponsorship opportunities are available. To participate in this event, please call 239-775-3862.

Collier County Florida 24-hour crisis hotline: 239-775-1101. For more information on the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, please call 239-775-3862, or visit www.naplesshelter.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), www.ndvh.org

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children helps adult and child victims and survivors of domestic violence through safety, intervention and support; educates the public about domestic violence; and advocates for social change against domestic violence. For more information, please contact us at 239-775-3862, or visit us online at: www.naplesshelter.org

Media Contacts:

Suzanne Lennon, suzanne@lennonpr.com, 239-434-2880

Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211

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Domestic violence is an epidemic that continues to spread across the globe. In the United States alone, statistics show that “1 in 5″ adults admit to being a victim of domestic violence where “6 out of 10″ adults say they know someone who has been a victim. Although the difference between the two is huge, at 40 per cent more people knowing victims than those who actually admit to being victims, it is a problem that clearly needs national and global attention.

A recent story about actor, Christian Bale, who was reportedly charged with verbal assault after losing his temper with his mother in a London hotel room just prior to the premier of his movie The Dark Knight has set into motion some very important information regarding domestic violence.

As in the alleged case of Bale, those who have a temper can create quite a problem for the loved ones around them. In a FOX News story from last week, Bale was said to have been defending his wife’s honour to his mother and apparently lost it:

“Christian’s attitude is that this was his mother’s fault because she became very provocative in an argument they were having, the source said. “Things got out of control and he now says he wishes he just left the room. Christian was stressed, but he didn’t lay a finger on anyone. Instead, he flew off the handle and cussed his mother. He just got very loud because his mother was saying some very outrageous things about him, and his wife.

“He has stresses in his marriage,” the source [also] said. “He can have a terrible temper. Instead of lashing out at his wife, he sometimes lashes out at people around him.”

Then again on July 22nd, MSNBC’s the Today Show ran a spot on the incident. However, the televised clip appeared to be more about diverting any possibility of abuse and focused on minimizing the verbal abuse accusation. There was even a clip from a fan stating that this was likely just parental jealousy!

Domestic violence doesn’t know jealousy in that manner. It doesn’t know socioeconomic status or educational backgrounds. It isn’t only bruises or choking. It is the projecting of one’s temper onto another individual, blaming someone else for their violent outburst. And Domestic Violence isn’t just a private matter. It is the responsibility of those around to shed light on its ugliness. With “2.6 Million” injuries and 1,200 deaths every year in the United States due to this preventable problem, when a news story has an opportunity to educate the nation on the basic information associated with domestic violence and does not, isn’t is a missed opportunity to help in its prevention?

Watch the video clip and decide if a balanced representation was given. Decide on your own. If you want, let them know how you feel by emailing them at today@nbc.com.

What is Domestic Violence? Here are a few warning signs:

Does your partner ever:

Embarrass you with put-downs?

Look at you or act in ways that scare you?

Control what you do, who you see or talk to or where you go?

Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?

Take your money or Social Security check, make you ask for money or refuse to give you money?

Make all of the decisions?

Tell you that you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?

Prevent you from working or attending school?

Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even deny doing it?

Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?

Intimidate you with guns, knives or other weapons?

Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?

Force you to try and drop charges?

Threaten to commit suicide?

Threaten to kill you?

Then you could be in a violent relationship.

Verbal abuse can indicate domestic violence as well. Not all verbally abusive relationships are physically abusive but it isn’t uncommon for the verbally abusive relationship to escalate to one that becomes physically abusive. Sometimes this takes a few years, maybe 5 to 7 years for the verbal abuse to become the punch leaving a giant hole in the wall or the smashing of the lamp. Then its the slap and the excuse that it was the victim’s fault: “if you just hadn’t said that…”. Then the punch, the beatings and eventually, the burial. In the book, The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Patricia Evans lists the characteristics of a verbally abusive relationship to include a pattern of:

Withholding intimacy
Judging
Trivializing a partner’s actions or feelings
Name calling
Accusing
Mean comments disguised as jokes

Right now, there is a campaign sweeping the nation that is hoping to make connections where some fail the victims of domestic violence. The Million Voices Campaign to End Domestic Violence in America is absolutely free and allows those who join to use their own resources and power to spread the word that domestic violence is intolerable.

When others drop the ball, pick it up and share the news that domestic violence isn’t just beating someone with punches. It is the exertion of power and control, a pattern of abusive behaviour that for many proves fatal even when they try to get away. Together, we are one giant voice against the big bad monster.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Read article & comments on digitaljournal.com
Return to Million Voices Campaign In the News

People and organizations nationwide have come together around the Million Voices Campaign to End Domestic Violence in America – working to educate, inform and raise awareness about domestic violence, and where victims can turn for help. Members of the Million Voices Campaign are making a powerful statement to America: Domestic violence is an intolerable act.

“The launch of the Million Voices Campaign will address what has long been missing in domestic violence services prevention: an organized national effort driven by dedicated volunteers raising their voices against domestic violence,” said National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates. “Together we will make history and in so doing, we will raise the standard for domestic violence prevention in America.”

Read article on JWI 
Return to Million Voices Campaign In the News

In October, NDVH will officially launch the Million Voices Campaign to End Domestic Violence in partnership with the General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC). The two-year long initiative aims to bring together more than 1 million individuals who hope for a country free from domestic violence and want to create change by engaging their communities through volunteerism and public awareness activities.

“The launch of the Million Voices Campaign will address what has long been missing in domestic violence services prevention: an organized national effort driven by dedicated volunteers raising their voices against domestic violence,” said NDVH CEO Sheryl Cates. “Together we will make history and in so doing, we will raise the standard for domestic violence prevention in America.”

The program will launch with a formal reception at the GFWC headquarters in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 2007.

“As a Founding Member, the GFWC is promoting the Million Voices Campaign among our 145,000 members and will encourage a large scale effort of volunteerism on a community basis,” said Jackie Pierce, president of GFWC and an advocate for domestic violence prevention.

Nannette White, chair of the GFWC Domestic Violence Committee, is working with state chairpersons and regional leaders to enroll GFWC members individually in the campaign and volunteer activities.

NDVH urges individuals and organizations to join this unparalleled effort by visiting www.ndvh.org/million. Members are asked to share their contact information with NDVH and agree that: domestic violence must be stopped in America; they will speak out against domestic violence and tell friends, family and co-workers about the Hotline as a source for help.

The Million Voices Campaign encourages members to educate, inform and raise awareness about domestic violence prevention and services in their communities. Free educational materials and various resources will be provided on the campaign website to help volunteers spread the word. Membership is free, but anyone who wishes to donate to the campaign can do so online.

All members receive an official membership card as well as e-mail news updates and invitations to major campaign events. A major goal of the campaign is to create a sense of community online, where members can share volunteer ideas, strategies to engage local communities and their own personal experiences with domestic violence.

Domestic violence must end in America. The Million Voices Campaign will be the Hotline’s first major initiative to demonstrate that individuals and organizations across the country are committed to seeing that end.