The Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival today announced their support of the RESPECT! CampaignSM - an innovative new campaign to end domestic and sexual violence by starting with respect. The campaign benefits the Family Violence Prevention Fund and encourages everyone to do their part to prevent abuse by giving and teaching respect to the young people in their lives.

In support of the campaign, a variety of performers at the November 22 festival at Chicago's Congress Theater will be sharing stories about the people they respect most and asking the audience to support the campaign by texting the keyword "respect" to 41010, adding a $5 donation to the Family Violence Prevention Fund to their mobile bill.

From now until December 31st you can support the Family Violence Prevention Fund just by clicking your mouse. Here's how:

American fashion icon Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™ will donate up to $500,000 to help promote respect and end family violence. First, they'll give $5 for every visit to GiveRespect.org. Then they'll donate another $5 every time you create an "act of respect" on the site. And if you'd like to reach into your own pocket and make a personal donation, Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™ will match the amount. Read more about the Geoffrey Beene Challenge (PDF)Read more about the Geoffrey Beene Challenge (PDF).

Additionally, Geoffrey Beene is kicking off the "Dress Up the Man You Respect Contest." If you know a man who's an excellent role model for respect and think he should be honored for the positive example he sets for others, enter him to win a $500 Geoffrey Beene gift card. Just send ussend us a short statement about why you think he deserves to be celebrated, along with his name and address and he will be considered alongside other men who are making the world a better place for families everywhere. Read the official contest rules here (PDF)here (PDF).

Attorney General Michael Mukasey recently took action in two cases involving women who are seeking asylum in the United States. One is positive, and the other deeply concerns advocates for women asylum-seekers who are fleeing gender-based violence in their home countries. Mukasey sent the cases of Alima Traore from Mali, and Rodi Alvarado Peña from Guatemala, to the Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider.
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Physical abuse can be easy to detect in violent relationships, but verbal abuse tends to go under the radar in many cases. This article tells the stories of three brave women who conquered verbally abusive relationships and it offers advice on how to help yourself or a friend in need.
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Our partners at Alpha Chi Omega have been working hard to create awareness and support during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please join in the rally and watch Carolyn Cox, a domestic violence survivor, share her compelling story.
Watch Carolyn's Story

San Francisco 49er's receiver Issac Bruce asked the audience to text the keyword "respect" to 41010 in support of the RESPECT! Campaign on Sunday, September 21. Remember to continue this movement throughout the October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
See this video and more RESPECT! Videos

Once again this year, President George W. Bush issued a proclamation declaring October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Senator Barack Obama also issued a statement urging Americans to "dedicate ourselves to working on behalf of the thousands of women who suffer in silence" during October.
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The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and Macy's have just kicked off their RESPECT! Campaign, a multi-year movement designed to raise awareness of domestic and dating violence and to encourage positive discourse about prevention by teaching respect. The campaign will continue to raise funds and educate the public throughout October, which has been designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The campaign launched on September 19th and marked the first ever National RESPECT! Day.

The nationwide celebration included employee rallies at more than 600 Macy's stores and on 135 college campuses, and invited the nation to join the movement by donning the official RESPECT! bracelet and getting out their cell phones to Text RESPECT!

The RESPECT! bracelet, available exclusively at Macy's and on macys.com, is available for $5 with half of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet benefiting the RESPECT! Campaign.
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He's not just respected in the world of sports. Joe Torre is respected everywhere. And that's why he joined FVPF in speaking out against violence and abuse. Check out Joe's public service announcementCheck out Joe's public service announcement. The spot debuted at a RESPECT-themed 49ers game on Sunday, September 21, and will continue to run online through the end of the year.

September 14, 2008
FVPF and Macy's give respect to the New York Times

Just a few days before National Respect Day, Macy's took out a full page ad in the Sunday edition of the New York Times to spread the word about RESPECT! and encourage people to contribute to the cause by purchasing a RESPECT! Bracelet. If you missed it, or just want to take another look, you can see the ad here (PDF)here (PDF).

September 10, 2008
The Rally for RESPECT! Has Begun

1 in in 3 women will be physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, and each year, an estimated 10-17 million children witness some form of domestic violence in their home.

The stats are alarming, and now is the time to finally speak out about this epidemic. That is why Macy's, Inc. and the Family Violence Prevention Fund have teamed up to launch the RESPECT! Campaign℠--a major social action campaign to create a conversation about the alarming rate of abuse and assault in this country. We believe EVERYONE deserves respect, and we need your voice, your ideas, and your passion to help us create a wave of respect across this nation.

On September 19, 2008, we will celebrate the first annual National RESPECT! Day℠ when we will ask the nation to text the keyword "respect" to 41010 which will in turn donate $5 to the important work of the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

For the more than 10 million children in this country that will witness abuse in their home this year, we want to create 10 million acts of RESPECT and begin a movement that will re-shape the future for our sons and daughters.

Join us
Tell your friends
Give RESPECT!

Together, we can build a society with a foundation of RESPECT! where abuse and assault are unacceptable.

August 31, 2008
Violence Prevention Featured at Democratic Convention

Issues relating to domestic and sexual violence took center stage at the Democratic National Convention last week, highlighted by the selection of United States Senator Joseph Biden (DE) as his party's vice presidential candidate. A longtime champion of measures to prevent violence against women, Senator Biden is an author of the bi-partisan Violence Against Women Act and a co-sponsor of the bi-partisan International Violence Against Women Act.
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August 28, 2008
Macy's Shop For A Cause

On September 20, 2008, Macy's will host the annual Shop For A Cause shopping day throughout Macy's stores nationwide. To learn how you can receive exclusive shopping discounts and support Family Violence Prevention Fund click hereclick here.
Read moreRead more

August 27, 2008
Sexual Assault in the Military Underreported

Women serving in the military today "are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than to be killed by enemy fire in Iraq," Representative Jane Harman (D-CA) charged at a contentious House hearing in late July at which the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that rape and sexual assault in the military may be under-reported by as much as half. In August, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) called for an investigation into the way the Pentagon is handling sexual assaults of servicemembers.
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July 29, 2008
Violence Common Among Youth

Three studies released in July find high rates of dating, sexual and other forms of violence among youth in the United States. The researchers who conducted the studies all recommend more education, detection and interventions that begin early in life.
Read moreRead more

June 26, 2008
High Court Rules in Cases Affecting Victims of Violence

On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court decided two cases affecting victims of domestic and sexual violence. In Giles v. California, the Court ordered a new trial for Dwayne Giles, who had been convicted of the brutal murder of Brenda Avie after a lower court allowed a police officer to testify about the domestic violence charges Avie had filed against Giles a few weeks before she was killed. In Patrick Kennedy v. State of Louisiana, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot use the death penalty to punish child rapists.
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June 24, 2008
UN Debates Women, Peace and Security

Following an emotional debate, the United Nations Security Council on Thursday June 19 adopted a resolution that declares rape and sexual violence to be weapons of war, and demands an end to sexual violence against civilians in armed conflicts around the world.
Read moreRead more

June 18, 2008
Senators Biden and Lugar Urge Passage

Of I-VAWA
In a powerful guest editorial in today's edition of The Hill, United States Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) urge their colleagues to support the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).
Read moreRead more

If you are in immediate danger, dial 911.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673

National Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline
1-800-422-4453

To learn more about domestic and family violence, visit the Family Violence Prevention Fund at endabuse.orgendabuse.org.

To spread the word at your place of work, or to your city or state government, here are some simple tools (you need Adobe ReaderAdobe Reader to view the PDFs):
150 Ways to Give Respect Poster (PDF)150 Ways to Give Respect Poster (PDF)
Sign the Respect Declaration Poster (PDF)Sign the Respect Declaration Poster (PDF)
City/State of Respect Proclamation (Microsoft Word DOC)

To learn more about how your workplace can address domestic violence visit:
www.blueshieldfoundation.org/domesticviolence/home.htmlwww.blueshieldfoundation.org/domesticviolence/home.html

If you think someone you work with is dealing with abuse, please take a look at these resources from the Family Violence Prevention Fund's partner on workplace education and training, Blue Shield of California Foundation (you need Adobe ReaderAdobe Reader to view the PDFs):
Guidelines For Coworkers (PDF)Guidelines For Coworkers (PDF)
Guidelines For Supervisors (PDF)Guidelines For Supervisors (PDF)

Through its Blue Shield Against Violence Program, Blue Shield of California Foundation seeks to end domestic violence in our lifetime. One of California's largest funders on this issue, the Foundation provides grants to more than 100 domestic violence shelters statewide. To get to the root of the problem, the Foundation seeks out innovative strategies to create safe environments free from domestic violence. Through its Employer Outreach program, the Foundation provides training for employers and managers to help them respond effectively when they see signs of abuse. The program also helps institutions (companies, schools, hospitals) put in place workplace policies and procedures that prevent domestic violence.

Macy's has a strong history of support for family violence prevention and awareness programs in many of the cities in which it operates. As part of their continued dedication in the fight against dating and domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, Macy's is the founding national partner of the RESPECT! campaign℠. In support of the RESPECT! campaign, Macy's is the exclusive retailer of the RESPECT! Bracelet. The bracelet will be sold in Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com beginning in September 2008. Half of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet will benefit the RESPECT! campaign. Macy's will also donate a portion of all in-store proceeds from Macy's Shop for a Cause on September 20, 2008, to the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

When Americans Give Respect, Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™. Family Violence Prevention Fund is thrilled to welcome Geoffrey BeeneGeoffrey Beene, the lengendary designer brand for women and men, in the philanthropic forefront with Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™ to the RESPECT! Campaign. As the official sponsor of the Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™ ChallengeGeoffrey Beene Gives Back™ Challenge and the Dress Up a Man You Respect contest, the company will donate $500,000 in support of FVPF's violence prevention programs while encouraging acts of respect nationwide through GiveRespect.org. All net profits from Geoffrey Beene LLC support critical causes, including programs for women, children and families. To date, Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™ has committed $140 million to a variety of causes.

Blue Shield of California works hard to improve the health and quality of life for all Californians. As a not-for-profit company, they've made the awareness and prevention of domestic violence a priority for more than a decade. Through its Blue Shield of California Foundation, they've supported many community programs and shelters throughout the state.

Blue Shield is a lead supporter of the Family Violence Prevention Fund's International Center to End Violence. That's why they're joining RESPECT for solutions to ending domestic violence now.

One in three women will experience some form of abuse in her lifetime, and so it is critical to the RESPECT! Campaign℠ to ensure that women of all ages understand the issue and have an opportunity to participate in positive solutions. As one of the fastest-growing online networks for women, we were thrilled when Sugar, Inc., publisher of 18 women-focused sites, including PopSugarPopSugar, FabSugarFabSugar, DearSugarDearSugar and GeekSugarGeekSugar, agreed to join forces with us to help educate and empower their members to take a stand against dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Together, we believe we can build a safer, healthier future for future generations.

Text RESPECT! is made possible in part by the generous support of the Mobile Giving FoundationMobile Giving Foundation and Mobile Accord, Inc.Mobile Accord, Inc.

Thanks to David Lindsey WadeDavid Lindsey Wade for capturing the beautiful images you see on the homepage. His artistic vision truly communicates the big idea behind the RESPECT! Campaign-a world full of respect can be a world with a lot less violence.

We are proud to partner with Alpha Chi OmegaAlpha Chi Omega, a national women's organization comprised of real women, facing real issues, in the real world. It is the national philanthropy of Alpha Chi Omega to provide support for the victims of domestic violence. The organization is dedicated to educating its members about domestic violence and to helping victims by providing prevention education and material, volunteer and financial assistance to various community programs and agencies. With over 130 collegiate chapters and more than 130,000 alumnae nationwide, Alpha Chi Omega is an ideal partner as they join us in rallying for respect this fall.

The RESPECT! Campaign℠ is our latest initiative. When you Give Respect℠ you become an agent of change that can help stop a worldwide epidemic of violence that is devastating families and ravaging communities. A world full of respect can be a world with much less violence.

Why do we need to act now? Because domestic and sexual violence happen every day. In every corner of the globe. In every walk of life. But it doesn't have to be that way. Everyone has the right to live a life free from violence. Encourage your friends, your family, and your co-workers to join the rally for respect today! Together, we can make a big difference. Money raised on this site, and through other facets of the RESPECT!℠ Campaign will support innovative violence prevention education, awareness, and leadership training programs pioneered by the dedicated men and women of the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

On Friday, September 19, more than 600 Macy's stores, 130 college campuses, and communities nationwide will band together to celebrate National RESPECT! Day℠. But it all starts here - with you. With even with the smallest donation, you become an agent of change. So make the first move. Every $5 makes a difference. Give RespectGive Respect℠

We believe it is possible to end violence against women, children and families. And we believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence. It is this vision that has guided our work for nearly thirty years and it is with great conviction that we will continue working until this vision is realized.

A staunch advocate for women, children and families on Capitol Hill, the Family Violence Prevention Fund has helped generate millions of dollars for local domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault programs across the country by playing a lead role in the development and passage of landmark legislation, including the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (reauthorized in 2005) and most recently, the International Violence Against Women Act. We continue to break ground reaching new audiences including men and youth through programs such as Coaching Boys into Men, Founding Fathers, and See It And Stop It.

Family Violence Prevention Fund's model programs promote leadership and education among judges, health care providers, employers, coaches, and teachers throughout the United States and our efforts to build leadership within immigrant, minority, and refugee communities transforms the lives of countless women, children, and families every day. We strive for each and every one of our programs to be self-sustaining, effectively replicated, and efficiently scaled. And we want to make it clear to all those who suffer, often in silence, that we hear you, and we won't quit until others do too.