We’re taking a break from the fun, frivolity of fashion to bring awareness to an important issue: domestic abuse.

#EndAbuse : The Numbers

Every six seconds, a women in the US is battered.

Last year, 119 Texas women were killed by their male partners.

One in three women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.

2 million injuries and 1,300 deaths are caused each year by domestic violence.

But thankfully, AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) aided more than 1,800 victims and helped 1,300 abusers on their road to recovery last year. Through legal advocacy, counseling services, education, and intervention, AVDA is making an enormous difference.

In fact, I was privileged to gather with a group of Houstonians recently to hear firsthand how AVDA helped one woman. At the young age of 21 with nowhere else to turn, she turned to AVDA in her time of need. AVDA provided her pro bono legal care to protect her and her child, as well as counseling and education assistance. The difference that AVDA made in her life is immeasurable. Imagine that impact multiplied many times over.

#EndAbuse : The Campaign

Our goals are simple: (1) raise awareness for the issue of domestic violence, and (2) raise awareness for AVDA, so that in the event that someone you know needs help, they know where to turn.

How can you help bring an end to domestic abuse?

Here’s your only task to help with our awareness goals:

• Take a picture of you holding up a sign that says #EndAbuse.
• Post it on your social media accounts (preferably today) with any information about domestic violence or AVDA that you might want to share.

I personally am grateful to have learned about AVDA and to be a part of this campaign. Would you please consider joining me? It’s so simple. Use your influence for good. Thank you in advance.

 

Big thanks to Esther Freedman for coordinating this campaign and to Ashley Cardoza for taking all the photos for this campaign.