“It Happens Here” Campaign Breaks Stereotypes of Domestic Violence in Rhode Island

Coalition’s new interactive campaign uses social media to focus on real stories of abuse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 05, 2010
CONTACT: Chris Wilhite at RICADV, Phone: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (401) 829-2564

[Providence, RI] Today, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence kicked off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with by launching an innovative public awareness campaign designed to break down stereotypes about abuse. The new campaign expands from conventional advertising into social media, with the use of Internet video in telling Rhode Islanders’ true stories of surviving domestic violence.

“By using social media tools, this new campaign gets the message out to everyone that domestic violence happens here, in every community in Rhode Island,” said Deborah DeBare, executive director of the Coalition. “With this campaign, we can reach more Rhode Islanders than ever. For those in an abusive situation, we can show them that they are not alone, and that help is available. We all must make a commitment to create a society where violence and abuse are not tolerated.”

The Coalition will be using social media platforms to disseminate Internet videos of domestic violence survivors in Rhode Island. The survivors tell their stories of overcoming abuse to reinforce the message that domestic violence happens in every community in Rhode Island and to urge everyone to reach out to those we suspect are in an abusive situation.

According to statewide records, domestic violence agencies served nearly 10,000 families in all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island in 2009. In fact, the agencies served extremely similar percentages of the population of each town, proving again that domestic violence does not discriminate based on location, age, race, income or any other demographic.

The severity of domestic violence may also be on the rise. During the first seven months of this year there were seven lives lost to domestic violence in Rhode Island, a record high rate for that length of time.

“We’re constantly trying to ensure that anyone in crisis has access to crucial resources, and our growing online network is just one more way we can promote safety and social change,” continued DeBare.

The online campaign can be found at ItHappensHere.info.

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