Hi everyone!
Today I am here to tell you about the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The NNEDV was founded by a group of domestic violence victims who came together “to promote federal legislation related to domestic violence”. Soon after, they began domestic violence shelter programs across the country. In 1994, their efforts actually helped lead to the passing of the Violence Against Women Act, which was authorized by Senator Joe Biden. The law made history by being the first federal legislation to “strengthen the government’s response to crimes perpetrated against victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking”. The next year it actually became the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The organization still thrives today by bringing awareness to domestic violence through multiple platforms and encouraging and supporting victims.
The NNEDV organizes fundraisers like the “Chefs Take a Stand” to raise money for the cause. The “Chefs Take a Stand” is an event where chefs and mixologists get together to let the community come and taste test a variety of different foods. The fundraiser also includes a silent auction that has items donated by “local and community oriented businesses”. All of the profits made during the event go to the cause. The event usually takes place at the beginning of the Domestic Violence Awareness month in October.
Another way the NNEDV brings awareness is by using the “16 Days of Activism & 16 Ways to Get Involved”. This is 16 different ways to get involved on social media to bring awareness to domestic violence.
November 25- change your facebook/twitter background
November 26- know the hotline
November 27- host a movie night
November 28- fulfill a wish in your community
November 29- volunteer
November 30- sign up for action alert
December 1- share this PSA (located on the website- https://nnedv.org/content/16-days-16-ways/)
December 2- donate to NNEDV
December 3- hold an event on campus
December 4- change your language
December 5- join the conversation
December 6- donate a night out
December 7- adopt a family for the holidays
December 8- read a book
December 9- host a wine & cheese fundraiser
December 10- raise your voice and make a difference
The “16 Days of Activism” is “an international campaign to raise awareness and generate action to end violence against women and girls in communities around the world”. This way to get the information out and bring awareness is extremely effective because anything on social media can spread like wildfire with some attention. This is why when you share something on social media, it can make a huge difference.
I would just like to take a second to express my personal support for this organization. I have had a very close friend of mine killed by an abusive ex and I cannot express enough how important domestic violence awareness is. It is so important that we all do everything we can to protect those we love and even those we don’t know. Whether you volunteer, donate, or simply press the ‘share’ button on your phone, you could make a huge difference in someone’s life.
It is hard for just one person to try to make a world of difference, but when everyone comes together as a community, it can make a tremendous difference. We can all make the world a better place if we all come together to make a change.
Thanks for reading and I hope throughout this blog, you will find a charity that means a lot to you. I have found an organization that means a lot to me and I really hope that you can find one that you can support. Thanks for reading!
Here is the link to the National Network to End Domestic Violence website for more information: NNEDV.org