2020 Men’s Campaign (All gifts up to $15,000 will be matched!)

Dear Friends:

No doubt you’ve read or heard of the increase in calls to domestic violence shelters because of the stay-at-home orders. In our community, it was eerily quiet at the beginning of the pandemic but we knew that survivors were just waiting until they were not being watched so closely and all of their movements scrutinized.

Now we are witnessing the aftermath. Our phones are ringing at an alarming pace and survivors are showing up at our front door asking for the help they were unable to get when they were fearful of increased violence at home. So just as some people celebrate the chance to move around more freely, survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault are just looking for their moment to escape. With your help, we will be there for all of them.

Together, with men standing alongside women, we can bring about the change that is needed. This will take all of us!

“Our society needs to improve in many areas, one of which is to eliminate domestic violence,” says Bill Holmes. “Men need to know that it is never okay to be violent toward women or children and that there will be severe consequences for such behavior. Our society can do better, and we will. What we need are relevant education and appropriate punishment for those that choose to do this.”

SafeHouse Center and our 2020 Men’s Campaign Co-Chairs ask men across our community to become allies against domestic and sexual violence. Your support is a promise to work with us to promote healthy and respectful attitudes and behaviors and to speak up against systems that have allowed violence to continue.

Make the promise to:

• Raise the bar and strive for equitable and respectful relationships.
• Call out abuse and violence for what it is and not turn a blind eye or stand by when people say things like “boys will be boys”.
• Help redefine masculinity, promoting healthier, positive social expectations among men and boys.
• Donate what you can to help survivors. (All gifts up to $15,000 will be matched.)

“Violence against women and children is 100% unacceptable. Period. And it starts with men setting the expectation that there is zero tolerance towards domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities, our states, and our country,”  adds Ira Weintraub. “We can’t be quiet about it. We need to talk about it. We must be the leaders in creating change for the better.”

Be an ally. Use your voice and say that “There is no Excuse for Abuse.”

Sincerely,

Barbara Niess-May, MPA, MSW
Executive Director

P.S. We are proud to recognize all donations of $100 or more to the Men’s Campaign in a full page ad in the October Ann Arbor Observer. Additionally, due to a generous donation, all gifts will be matched up to $15,000!

We must receive your response by 9-10-20 to be included in the community support ad. Your support is sincerely appreciated.