Welcome to the NDVH Survivors’ Blog
Every couple of weeks we will post a new blog entry by one of our many wonderful guest bloggers. We invite you to post your comments and discuss issues openly. We are committed to maintaining a positive, caring, non-judgmental environment and allowing open and honest discussions to take place. We will only step in as moderators if there are violations of our Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. Please read them both carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our moderators.
National Domestic Violence Prevention Summit 2009
Posted: Oct 14, 2009 | Comment
The Verizon Foundation brought together more than 120 leaders at its 4th Annual National Domestic Violence Prevention Summit. This year’s summit addressed two important issues – engaging communities to help end domestic violence, and bringing men into the conversation to be part of the solution. Summit Speaker and Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project director Curt Rogers described the Summit as groundbreaking in its inclusion of male victims in the discussion.
The Summit also showcased model programs and partnerships that support a collaborative community effort to end domestic violence. This included areas such as public service media, law enforcement, public health and many others. The Summit had a large number of Verizon executive leadership in attendance as well as leaders in the domestic violence community including National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates.
Symbolic Exhibit Launches Partnership between Marshalls and the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Posted: Oct 13, 2009 | Comment
The partnership between Marshalls and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) for the Shop ‘til It Stops Campaign has officially launched with two fundraising and awareness events in Los Angeles and New York. The first event in Los Angeles on October 1, kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness month and featured celebrity guests such as Project Runway’s Tim Gunn and Melrose Place star Laura Leighton and others.
Celebrity guests were on-hand alongside domestic violence survivors to unveil a symbolic exhibit honoring those who take a stand against domestic violence. The structure featured facts about domestic violence as well as pre-recorded messages from celebrity guests such as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Martina McBride, Vivica Fox, Robin Givens, Michael Bolton as well as others. The first 100 people to take a stand against domestic violence by walking through the exhibit at the unveiling received a free pair of shoes from Marshalls. The exhibit also travelled to Union Square in New York City for second event on October 8 where Robin Givens and Judge Jeanine Pirro were celebrity guests.
Part of the Shop til It Stops campaign donates $1.00 for each pair of shoes sold (up to $150,000) from October 1 through October 15.
Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program Provides Support for Victims
Posted: Oct 9, 2009 | Comment
Verizon’s Nokia Shade cell phone has become available online. This is the first phone to have #HOPE pre-programmed in the contact list. Customers who dial #HOPE from the Nokia Shade or from any Verizon Wireless phone are automatically connected to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline).
Verizon Wireless has been a long time champion for Domestic Violence prevention. They run a HopeLine program year round which collects no-longer used wireless phones, batteries, and accessories and provides them to victims of domestic violence. According to The Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates, Verizon’s efforts have been a great success.
“Over the past year, the Hotline received more than 1,000 calls through #HOPE, so it’s clear that many victims are relying on wireless technology and #HOPE from Verizon Wireless as a vital safety link for them and their families,” said Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “We are happy to see Verizon Wireless and Nokia take the next step and pre-program #HOPE into the Nokia Shade device. This quick and easy access to the Hotline and our advocates will make it even easier for victims to find the resources they need for safety and independence.”
Please click here for more information about Verizon’s efforts.
Capital Metro Partners with The Hotline for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Posted: Oct 9, 2009 | Comment
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) has partnered with Capital Metro in Austin, Texas in an effort to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence. The Hotline number is being featured on the sides of three buses during the next few months. Both the toll-free number and the toll-free text telephone number are being featured with a statewide statistic stating that 74 percent of Texans are affected by domestic violence. In addition, one hundred Hotline signs in both English and Spanish are featured inside one-third of Capital Metro’s bus fleet. Together, the signage is estimated to reach approximately 43,000 of the transit system’s 130,000 daily riders. Since Texas generates the second highest number of calls to the Hotline and Austin is the state capital and the home base for The Hotline, this was a perfect and logical partnership.
The Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates on Fox News
Posted: Oct 8, 2009 | Comment
National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) CEO Sheryl Cates was in New York today and made an appearance on New York City’s Fox 5 Morning News Show. Her interview with anchor Mike Woods focused on shedding the light on domestic violence and The Hotline’s recent partnership with Marshall’s for the Shop Till It Stops Campaign. Marshalls is donating $1 to The Hotline for each pair of shoes purchased at any Marshalls store between October 1 and 15, 2009. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and an important time to reach out to the media and bring awareness to the cause.
Judge Jeanine Pirro Puts the Spotlight on Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Posted: Oct 7, 2009 | Comment
Former New York District Attorney and County Court Judge Jeanine Pirro is partnering with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). She will use her national televised daily court program Judge Jeanine Pirro, as a national platform to educate her viewers and bring attention to the cause. Beginning on October 8 and continuing every Thursday for the entire month, the program will air a series of public service announcements for The Hotline. A special one-hour episode will also air on October 29, dedicated entirely to domestic violence cases, with an audience comprised of domestic violence victims.
Judge Pirro has always been a champion for the cause and started one of the first domestic crime units in the country. During her years in law enforcement, she established bureaus to investigate and prosecute crimes including domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse and sex offenses.
The Pledge
Posted: Oct 1, 2009 | Comment
“Become Inspired—you never know when someone will become inspired by your courage to make a difference.”
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I would like to honor the amazing life-saving work being done on behalf of women, teens, children and men who are experiencing violence in their relationships. All across the nation domestic violence advocates, volunteers, friends, families, co-workers, and individuals are extending their hearts and hands to help those in extraordinarily dangerous circumstances from someone who claims to love them. I continue to be inspired by the dedication and commitment to end violence in our communities.
I am writing this piece to encourage all of you to find your passion and inspiration! To encourage you to use it to keep making a difference in the world. Many are called to make a difference as I am in my daily work but I had help getting here. Her name is Rochelle and she is my sister. Rochelle has been my inspiration working to end violence against women for the last 25 years. Rochelle (pictured second from the left with sisters Chris, Laurie and myself) has overcome many obstacles, an abusive marriage for eight years, which at its most violent she once felt like taking her own life to get free of the situation. She endured economic poverty which had her working three jobs as a result of her husband’s choice to drag her through an extended legal battle and bankruptcy, all the while being a wonderful mother to a young daughter. She is a self confident, smart, amazing woman who has developed into the most perfect monarch. She went through the metamorphosis from victim to survivor to the whole beautiful woman she was and is meant to be. Her triumph over this tragedy continues to be my inspiration when I am tired or feel weary. My most proud moment was when she spoke of her personal story for the first time at the White House reception upon the 10th Anniversary of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. It took courage to leave her desperate situation then and she has pushed through her own challenges to now be courageous in helping other women in shelters and in her workplace to believe in their dreams and to reach their goals. I continue to be grateful for her being alive today to share her story with others and be my muse. I love you Rochelle, and I, like my other sisters, continue our pledge to end violence against women.
If someone inspires you, consider making a donation in their honor
Join me in sharing your story of inspiration
Join our online community working to end violence
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Peace,
Sheryl Cates
Chief Executive Officer
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Vice President Joe Biden Honors 15th Anniversary of VAWA
Posted: Sep 30, 2009 | Comment
Women’s groups, including National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates, gathered at Vice President Joe Biden’s home Tuesday night to toast the 15th anniversary of landmark legislation aimed at eliminating violence against women.
“You’ve helped so many women step out of the darkness. You’ve helped so many young girls expect a different future, expect different treatment,” Biden said as he commemorated the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. “This is a day to celebrate. We have so much to be proud of.”
In addition to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, The National Women’s Law Center, FaithTrust Institute, National Network to End Domestic Violence and American Association of University Women were among the groups invited to the vice president’s residence, located on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in northwest Washington.
Biden recalled how domestic violence was once regarded as a private matter. “It wasn’t the business of the government. It’s a family matter,” he told about 100 guests. Advocates for women inspired a different attitude, he said.
The Violence Against Women Act, crafted by Biden while he served on the Senate Judiciary Committee as a senator from Delaware, led to more money for women’s shelters and law-enforcement training.
Domestic violence rates fell sharply between 1993 and 2004. The Bureau of Justice Statistics said that “intimate partner violence” rates fell by more than 50 percent, which some experts attributed to key elements of the 1994 law.
Take Time to Observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Posted: Sep 28, 2009 | Comment
With October approaching, domestic violence advocates across the nation are preparing for the 22nd annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Whether you are a professional in the field of domestic violence or someone who is new to the cause, we hope you will take a few moments during October to consider the issue and remember those whose lives are affected by it.
Beginning as a Day of Unity observation in October 1981, the observance grew into the first domestic violence awareness month in October 1987. The current year’s observance is especially hopeful due to the appointment of Lynn Rosenthal as the first-ever White House advisor on violence against women. This appointment marks the changing attitude from domestic violence as a silent epidemic to a societal issue for which everyone shares a responsibility.
Programs across the nation will focus their efforts on celebrating the strength and courage of those who have been affected by domestic violence and hosting educational programs to raise public awareness of the issue.
Buy Shoes at Marshalls and Benefit the Hotline
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 | Comment
Buying a pair of shoes at any Marshalls store between October 1 and 15, 2009 will benefit the Hotline. As part of the Marshalls Shop ’til It Stops program, $1 will be donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for
each pair of shoes sold during this period (up to $150,000).
For the past 18 years, Marshalls has raised millions of dollars and
generated tremendous awareness in an effort to help put an end to domestic violence in the United States through their annual Shop til it Stops program. This year for the first time, the National Domestic Violence Hotline will benefit from this program. Be sure to visit Marshalls to support us!
Attention GFWC members: Have fun shopping for our cause!