Nearly 75 percent of Americans have experienced domestic violence in their own home or have a friend, co-worker or family member who has been impacted by domestic violence. Many of us are familiar with the issue, yet most people are uncomfortable talking about it. With National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Allstate Foundation and Allstate employees and agents are calling all Americans to “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” and raise awareness of domestic violence.
What is “Tell a Gal P.A.L.”? P.A.L. stands for “Pass it on, Act & Learn.” The goal of the program is to get Americans to talk feely and openly about domestic violence and how economic empowerment can provide a path to a safe future for survivors. As part of “Tell a Gal P.A.L.,” The Allstate Foundation is partnering with non-profit organization Dress for Success for a purse drive, across the country. From September 22 through October 3, Allstate is asking both employees and the general public to donate nearly new purses, briefcases or professional bags – symbols of financial security – to help outfit domestic violence survivors and other women in need as they enter or re-enter the workforce.
Why focus on economic empowerment? Domestic violence goes far beyond physical abuse. Long after the physical signs of abuse disappear, survivors are still dealing with the effects of other forms of abuse, including economic abuse. Financial control is a tactic commonly used by abusers to prevent their victims from leaving abusive situations, often by limiting or preventing access to money, work and other means to achieving financial independence
We all have the ability to help a woman to live a life free of domestic violence. By educating the public about domestic violence and economic empowerment, as well as donating nearly new purses and other professional bags, we can make a world of difference to domestic violence survivors trying to move on and become financially independent. Help us spread the word and “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” To find out more, visit
ClickToEmpower.org.
Alternatives Incorporated of Madison County
As you are making plans for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, here is a great idea for you -- from our
Friends of CAEPV at Alternatives Incorporated in Madison County, Indiana.
On October 4 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon they are having an event entitled
"Pink and Purple Prevention is our Intention" to raise awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence. It is at Anderson University and is co-sponsored by Alternatives Incorporated, Community Hospital Anderson, Anderson University, Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To view the flier, click on
http://www.caepv.org/membercenter/files/pink_and_purple_flyer.pdf.
What a great idea! It is often difficult for organizations and employers who feel they have to "choose" between domestic violence awareness activities and breast cancer awareness activities during October -- and this way they do not have to!
I hope others across the country are able to take this idea and run with it! If you would like more information, you can reach out to Mary Jo Lee the CEO of Alternatives Incorporated at
mjlee@alternativesdv.org.
American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence
The ABA Commission on Domestic Violence is hosting a series of four workshops throughout the month, focused on the legal response to domestic violence. Two will be held in person on the 9th floor of the ABA’s DC office, and two others will be teleconferences. You may register for all or some of the workshops. The schedule is as follows:
- The Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse
Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 12:00 p.m. EDT - 1:30 p.m.
EDT TELECONFERENCE (please dial in)
- Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence: What's the Connection?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 12:00 p.m. EDT - 1:30 p.m.
EDT IN PERSON AT ABA (740 15th Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC)
- Providing Legal Assistance to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Victims of Domestic Violence
Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 12:00 p.m. EDT - 1:30 p.m.
EDT TELECONFERENCE (please dial in)
None of these workshops will be recorded or taped, therefore in order to participate you must register and either call in or attend at the ABA office in Washington, DC. To register, please go to:
http://www.abanet.org/domviol or
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IuMBrsjtVHfd7V9wSVmLxQ_3d_3d.
After you register, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Please give the ABA office 2 business days to process your registration form before contacting them about it. If you have any difficulties or questions, please contact Deborah Whang at
whangd@staff.abanet.org.
Participating in the RESPECT! Campaign (SM) with partners Macy’s and CAEPV Member the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
Central Illinois CAEPV Members and Friends along with Radio Bloomington participate in local "
CIGNA Corporate Security will raise domestic violence awareness in October at two corporate sites by circulating the Corporate Security bookmark to all employees. There will be a special sticker on the reverse of the bookmark highlighting the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence.
Domestic violence information and resource links, including CA will also be posted on CIGNA Central -- CIGNA's intranet site.
" in Central Illinois on October 15, COUNTRY Financial, GROWMARK, IAA Credit Union, and Illinois Farm Bureau employees engaged in a Shelter Kit Drive to benefit CDV/Neville House (a local domestic violence agency in Bloomington, Illinois). They asked for needed items such as toiletries, entertainment for children, as well as cell phones to be used for 911 reprogramming or recycling.
