October 2007 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Jane Doe Inc. is proud to join in the national recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We invite you to do your part this month to raise awareness, to support survivors and to promote safe and healthy relationships and communities.
In the twelve months since last year’s awareness month activities: Massachusetts has lost 39 people to domestic violence homicides (30 murders plus 9 suicides). Over 33,000 women, men and children received Domestic Violence services. 21,637 calls were answered by Safelink. 28,076 restraining orders were filed. These deaths are preventable. This violence is stoppable.

We invite you to learn more and to get involved in creating a world free of sexual assault and domestic violence. Attend an event in your community. Speak up when someone perpetuates a myth about abuse. Purchase an Emotional Armor T-shirt. Register to vote. Make a donation.

Check our website regularly for announcements and updates. We need you to add your voice to help end the violence.
Click on below for more details about this year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Calendar of Events	Put on your Emotional Armor
Domestic Violence Homicide List	Men's Initiative for JDI
Domestic Violence Fact Sheet	Purchase CARES Jewelry!
Previous Campaigns

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.

Domestic Violence Homicide List

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 December 2006, JDI released 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 is available on our website at: http://www.janedoe.org/know/know_dv_homicide_report_2003.htm

Domestic Violence Fact Sheet

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.

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.

April 2007 - Sexual Assault Awareness Month
October 2006 - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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