October 2006 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Jane Doe Inc. proudly joined our allies across the country in honor of nationally recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Through a myriad of public events, educational campaigns, corporate partnerships, and other venues, Jane Doe Inc. and its member organizations work to amplify the voices of survivors and advocates calling for an end to domestic violence. We urge you to stay involved throughout the year. Check our website for regular announcements about events sponsored by JDI and our member organizations throughout the state.

Calendar of Events	Ladies of Harley Event to Benefit JDI October 14, 2006
Men's Initiative for JDI	Put on your Emotional Armor
Purchase CARES Jewelry!	Domestic Violence Homicide List
Previous Campaigns	DVAM Statistics

Domestic violence comes in the form of physical, sexual, emotional and/or economic abuse. It does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability or socio-economic status. Hospitals emergency rooms report domestic violence as the leading cause of injury to women, and we know that children are adversely affected when they witness and experience violence in their home. We know that fear of retribution and feelings of guilt and self-blame often prevent victims from seeking services for themselves or leaving the relationship. And we know that last year, thousands of women, men and children were served by community-based domestic violence programs.

Stopping this epidemic of violence requires strong public/private partnerships to increase public awareness and understanding of the impact of domestic violence on an individual’s safety, dignity, and privacy as well as the effects of domestic violence on friends, neighbors, schools and the workplace.

The Coalition is committed to supporting the liberty, safety and stability of survivors of domestic violence and their children, ensuring that batterers are held accountable for their crimes and working toward the eradication of domestic violence through the promotion and implementation of responsive public policy, and prevention and education efforts that are informed by the experiences of survivors.

Thank you for joining us in our efforts to end domestic violence.

Ladies of Harley Ride to Benefit JDI, Saturday October 14

The Ladies of Harley hosted the first annual benefit run for JDI on Saturday, October 14. JDI was contacted by a survivor of domestic violence who had received services from a number of programs in MA. At the time, her kids were young and she was running for her life. Today she's a proud, independent mother with kids in college who loves to ride motorcycles. The ride started at the Boston Harley-Davidson dealership in Everett and ended at the Elks Club in Tewksbury. If you would like to hear about next year's ride, please email donations@janedoe.org.

Put on your Emotional Armor

On Wednesday, October 11 at a State House ceremony hosted by State Senator Joan Menard, Senator Stephen Baddour and Representative Mike Costello, a new prevention effort was highlighted. Jane Doe Inc. is thrilled to have partnered with Emotional Armor, a Newburyport-based company founded by Jenifer Hoffman to mobilize support for violence prevention efforts, starting with children. Hoffman has dedicated all net profits to start a cultural enrichment program for children as well as helping to fund the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center for its work in family violence prevention.

Senator Menard unveiled a custom Emotional Armor t-shirt for Jane Doe Inc. The sales of this shirt will support JDI’s prevention and awareness efforts. (Shirts are available on line and in stores starting October 11.)

Men's Initiative for JDI

The Men´s Initiative for Jane Doe (MIJD) has been established to help encourage men and boys to get involved in prevention and education work through community organizing and strong collaborations with direct service anti-violence programs. MIJD creates an unique opportunity for men in Massachusetts to pledge their commitment to helping end domestic violence and sexual assault. MIJD invites men to take responsibility, to raise their voices, and to support offenders in choosing new behavior. Please click here to learn more. Please click here to view a calendar of events.

Domestic Violence Homicide List Narratives

Each year, Jane Doe Inc. releases a list of domestic violence homicide victims who were murdered during the past twelve month period. By publishing this list each October, JDI strives to honor these victims along with the surviving children, family, friends and colleagues whose lives have been irrevocably changed. In October 2006, JDI will release its first annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report in an effort to identify improvements in current policy and practice that can reduce domestic violence homicide and end domestic violence overall. This report will be available on line later this month.

Previous Campaigns

Every year, Jane Doe Inc. participates in several national public awareness campaigns. Please click on the links below to view past campaigns. Please contact us at info@janedoe.org to purchase/obtain educational and print materials.

October 2005 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
April 2005 - Sexual Assault Awareness Month
January 2005 - Stalking Awareness Month
October 2004 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
April 2004 - Sexual Assault Awareness Month
October 2003 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month