You have the power to help stop domestic abuse.

May is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Go Purple to Break the Silence!



Below is an email I received from a very dear friend and sorority sister, Donna Bartos. I am providing a link to Donna's story HERE. (The article mentions the events occurring in October but Donna has changed that to May as of 2009.) Donna is a remarkable woman and is using her voice to break the cycle of domestic abuse. She has started a grass roots campaign to end abuse that started in Arizona and is now expanding across the country. You can find out more about her organization at www.gnousa.org . Please help us break the silence! Be a friend, be a donor but don't be quiet!

From Donna:

http://www.gnousa.org

Thanks to a few high-profile couples, domestic abuse has been on the airwaves a lot lately. While it is great that media outlets are talking more openly about the issue, all of the recent "talk" is not enough to Break the Silence, Break the Cycle and Save Lives!

Unlike other national campaigns to cure health-related diseases, domestic abuse has not been a "sexy" cause to rally behind or a social issue that can easily mobilize everyday people into action to create positive change. Instead, for the past 30 years, it has been a stigmatized, private issue between a man and woman...one deeply silenced by fear and shame.

Recently, I requested a donation from a restaurant owner for a Girls Night Out to Cut Out Domestic Abuse event. The initial response I received from the gentleman was "Why do I want to help women who choose to stay and get abused?" This response is representative of how many Americans, even some women, feel about the issue.

This is a case in point of perception = reality.

In addition to responding to the pervasive question: "why does she stay?," equal attention is needed to find solutions to the questions: "why do abusers abuse, how do we stop it, and how can we help the most silent victims-the 10 million children who witness abuse in their homes every year?"

On Thursday, May 7th you can help us chip away at two of the many root causes that fuel domestic abuse: SILENCE & FEAR as we build a nationwide strength in numbers Girls Night Out campaign to Break the Silence, Break the Cycle and Save Lives. Your participation will also help to support, benefit and empower children who have been orphaned by domestic homicide.

If you think about what Komen for a Cure has beautifully accomplished to inspire and empower breast cancer survivors and others into action it is simple marketing and advocacy multiplied. Volunteers, salon owners and local domestic abuse prevention organization are creating this level of awareness, education and outreach in partnership with the Purple Ribbon Council through Girls Night Out to Cut Out Domestic Abuse events across the country.

Now more than ever, when financial stress is triggering more domestic abuse at home, we need YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR VOICE, and your open mind and heart to help cut out domestic abuse on May 7th.

Please join us at a Girls Night Out to Cut Out Domestic Abuse event if there is a host salon & spa near you! http://www.GNOusa.org
TICKETS START AT $15 AND ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!

If you do not have a GNO event in your community yet, but want to be part of the simultaneous effort...WEAR PURPLE on May 7th! You can also make a donation online for the Purple Ribbon Fund for Children which was established to help the most silent and traumatized victims of domestic abuse alleviate post traumatic stress and rebuild their lives.

THANK YOU!!!


DOMESTIC ABUSE 101

What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse is a social disease and coercive pattern of power and control. An abuser controls their victim through mental abuse (intimidation, threat and stalking), with emotional and/or financial abuse (no one else will love you, you're fat, you're ugly, you can not afford to live without me), and/or with physical violence (hitting, pinching, punching, kicking, spitting, throwing objects, punching walls, intimate partner rape, etc.).

Why do victim's stay?
Domestic abuse is a pervasive cycle that is not easily broken by a victim simply leaving their abuser. Some victims choose to stay because of fear of what is next, fear of the abuse getting worse, fear of losing custody of children, hope their abuser will change, love, financial control, shame, lack of resources, and so many other reasons that can deplete empowerment.

How can I help break the cycle or save a life?
Friends are the best kind of support for domestic abuse victims, if they know how to recognize the signs, how to respond and how to safely refer to helpful resources. Victims are more likely to confide in a friend, or even their salon and spa professional more than any other source of support such as police, family or support group.

If you feel your friend or client is in an abusive relationship, please call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) If you or your friend's life has been threatened, do not take a death threat lightly. Call a local safehouse to get help with crafting a safe plan for escape. Call 911 immediately if your life is in serious danger.


What do I say if someone I know is in an abusive relationship?
If you are worried about a friend, family member or client, you can show your concern by asking questions such as “You are not yourself lately, is everything okay at home?” Be patient, listen and DO NOT JUDGE her/him for not leaving. Do not be critical of her/his spouse or partner. This could cause alienation. Rather, let your friend or client know you care about them, that abuse is not their fault, and encourage them to seek immediate confidential help from the national hotline, the police, a legal advocate, a local safehouse or support group.