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Archive for October, 2009

starting strong(er)…

October 21st, 2009 Comments off

Just a quick note – the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has put up the funds to launch a new web site and programming initiative geared towards young teens, 11-14: Start Strong.

The site currently lists 11 cities, though one imagines the intention is to eventually branch out. This is a good example of the kind of coordinated effort that can occur when funds are brought to bear and help support the work that is happening on the front lines. Also, the web site design is A+.

I think RWJF and Family Violence Prevention Fund have framed the discussion perfectly, not just for that age group, but for the nation at large: ending violence in a culture steeped in violent behavior which masquerades as “normal” and “acceptable” ultimately means defining (and teaching) what constitutes healthy relationships.

I look forward to viewing more of the site when I find the time, and to watching the program grow.

NSVRC press release – help needed in the Pacific

October 6th, 2009 Comments off

I’m forwarding on this posting from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), distributed via the Men Against Violence listserv regarding the recent, tragic flooding in the Pacific Territories…

*************** Please Distribute Widely ****************


Your help is needed! Join the U.S. national call to action to support
sexual assault survivors and sexual assault programs impacted by the
recent tsunami in the Pacific Territories. President Obama has declared
the U.S. territory of American Samoa a major disaster after an undersea
earthquake caused a tsunami and massive flooding that has reportedly
killed over 100 people in the South Pacific Samoan Islands and the
islands of Tonga. Please help us help them in their efforts to survive
this disaster.

The Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims
<http://www.relieffundforsexualassaultvictims.org/> (Relief Fund) was
established in 2005 by U.S. national anti-sexual violence organizations
(National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, The National Organization of
Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault, National Sexual Assault
Coalition Resource Sharing Project, National Sexual Violence Resource
Center, and Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) in order to address
the needs of sexual assault survivors during and after disasters. 

The Relief Fund is designed to:

1. Support the needs of sexual assault survivors 
2. Support the needs of sexual assault advocacy program staff 
3. Assist with expanded direct service capacity needs 
4. Assist with prevention initiatives to protect evacuees from
sexual violence 
5. Support relocation/rebuilding efforts for flood-damaged sexual
assault advocacy programs 

Here is how you can help:

Donate now! 

Join the effort to bring support and services to victims of sexual
assault through a donation to the Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims
<http://www.relieffundforsexualassaultvictims.org/> . There are three
ways to donate (credit card, pay pal or check).

Donate online
<http://www.relieffundforsexualassaultvictims.org/donate.html> or mail
to:
Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims 
c/o National Sexual Violence Resource Center
123 N. Enola Drive
Enola, PA 17025

100% of donations will go to victims/programs in affected areas.
Administrative costs are being donated by the National Sexual Violence
Resource Center. Funds will be allocated to state/territory or tribal
sexual assault coalitions in the affected areas for dispersing the
resources as needed within their respective regions. For questions
about the application process, please contact the National Sexual
Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) at: resources@nsvrc.org

Spread the Word!

Please help us in building the fund by circulating this announcement.
Additionally, a Relief Fund Flyer describing the fund is available
online in pdf format
<http://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/file/Projects_Disasters_Relief
-Fund-Flyer-AS.pdf> to assist with getting the word out.

Help to prevent sexual violence in disasters!

Inform your community about the risk of sexual violence in times of
disaster. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center in partnership
with the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault has developed a
book entitled “Sexual Violence in Disasters: A planning guide for
prevention and response” available in English
<http://www.nsvrc.org/publications/nsvrc-publications/sexual-violence-di
sasters-planning-guide-prevention-and-response> and Spanish
<http://www.nsvrc.org/publications/nsvrc-publications/la-violencia-sexua
l-durante-desastres-gu%C3%AD-de-planificaci%C3%B3n-para-la-p> . Submit
requests for print copies to resources@nsvrc.org. Additionally, the
NSVRC has created an online collection of disaster preparedness
resources <http://www.nsvrc.org/projects/disasters> to assist
communities in their educational and planning efforts.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

123 North Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025

877.739.3895 Toll Free

resources@nsvrc.org