Hey y'all, you need to stop what you're doing and focus for a few minutes. This is important so pay attention.
On Thursday, March 14th, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel, (3315 Scott Futrell Dr. Charlotte, NC 28208), from 8am til noon, celebrity sports figures such as CBS sportscaster James Brown, coach of the Carolina Panthers Ron Rivera, former NFL players Mark Carrier and Chris Canty, Susan Sullivan from the Verizon Foundation and others will lead an open forum discussion about Domestic Violence in America.
The Verizon Foundation teams up with host James Brown, A CALL TO MEN, Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation and NO MORE to encourage men to speak out against domestic violence.
This new campaign invites all of us as well as influential leaders and organizations to take a stand against an all too pervasive public health issue that tears at the very fabric of our society.
Together, with one voice we can help to bring a new and lasting awareness to this issue with the ultimate goal of ending domestic violence once and for all.
Why are efforts like these so crucial? Why should we care? Because the statistics are appalling! Clear your mind and let these numbers inform you.
Approximately 15.5 million children were either victims of or exposed to domestic violence in their homes last year.
On average, more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States.
There are more than two million injuries from intimate partner violence each year.
More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetimes.
Are you feeling queasy yet? Sick to your stomach as I am? And these are just some of the statistics. The details are even worse!
These statistics come straight from reports compiled by agencies such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, so they are real.
Ask yourself how many people you know, friends and/or family, that are in a bad situation at home yet all you can seemingly do is to tell yourself that there is nothing you can do?
Well, there certainly will be nothing to do when that person is dead.
Too dramatic? Re-read the stats!
Go to this web page sponsored by Verizon: Your Voice Counts, and find out how you personally can help stop this awful cycle of violence.
Do it for yourself, do it for your friend or loved one with the black eye, do it because like me, the statistics sicken you or do it just because it is the right thing to do. Whatever your reason is, just do it!
And if you can, show up at the Sheraton on Thursday, March 14th between 8 and noon, if for no other reason but to show your support. I will.
See you there.
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