On February 14, 2009, men throughout Massachusetts will once again speak out to:
change societal attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate and make excuses for violence against women!
promote safety and respect in all relationships and situations!
build a network of resounding voices that will support and advance the initiatives and efforts of Jane Doe Inc. and its member organizations to promote the safety, liberty and dignity of survivors!
Last year many of you helped to make the historic launch of the Massachusetts White Ribbon Day (WRD) campaign a great success.
In fact, the successes of last year’s WRD campaign go beyond the State House Rally, dozens of local events and 17,000 pledges!
Thanks in no small part to your efforts, over the past year we have seen a positive change in addressing needs of survivors in Massachusetts. First, state funding for sexual assault and domestic violence services not only received an increase in the FY09 budget but also were spared from the 9-C cuts. Second, we believe that the issuance of the Public Health Advisory and release of a Public Service Announcement featuring First Lady Diane Patrick combined with a renewed vigor to keep victims safe means that for the first time in nearly two years we may have stemmed the tide of domestic violence homicides in Massachusetts. These are just two examples of how your participation has already made a difference.
And now it’s time for our second annual Massachusetts White Ribbon Day campaign.
As part of an international human rights effort, the Massachusetts
2009 White Ribbon Day campaign will invite men and boys to be
part of the solution in ending violence against women. Click here:
Around the World to
learn more about the White Ribbon Campaign around the world.
Our revised pledge for this year’s campaign reflects our belief
that we need to state what we envision and want to create. Finding
a solution that will end violence against women will take all
of us working together. Being part of the solution means putting
the pledge not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence
against women into action. Click here: Ambassador
page to become a White Ribbon Ambassador and help us spread
this message.
The centerpiece of this year’s campaign will be local WRD Proclamation
events held throughout the week of February 8th to 14th. We will
not hold a statewide event this year. Instead we will encourage
White Ribbon Ambassadors and the public to participate in local
activities across the Commonwealth. Click here:
Proclamation Kit to find out how you can get involved.
Funding for this publication was made possible (in part) by the Rape Prevention Education Cooperative Agreement No. 5VF1CE0011105-03 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or DPH.
