The Allstate Foundation is asking everyone to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence so that we can face the issue together during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month – and beyond.
I was shocked when I read the statistic that Domestic violence touches millions – more than seven out of 10 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim – but somehow, it still remains a taboo subject. That’s a lot of people keeping a secret or turning their heads.
There’s more to the truth that we are avoiding:
- Each day in the U.S., 3 women die as a result of domestic violence. (1)
- More than 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. (2)
- Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim.
- Only 54 percent of Americans have talked to a friend about domestic violence, and only 56 percent would know what to do to help a victim of domestic violence. (3)
Let’s face domestic violence together – Tell a Gal Pal to:
- Talk openly about domestic violence. Tell your Gal Pals – whether it’s your best friend, sister, mother, daughter, niece, cousin, or neighbor – to face domestic violence, share their opinions and experiences and show support for survivors.
- Speak out against domestic violence when you see it. Call the police or National Domestic Violence Hotline to report domestic violence in your community – you could help save a life.
- Visit ClickToEmpower.org for easy ways to start the conversation, check out resources for survivors, or read inspirational survivor stories.
- You can also show your support for domestic violence survivors by volunteering at or donating items to your local domestic violence shelter. Contact your state domestic violence coalition for more information. Click here for a complete list of state coalitions.
Pledge to Tell a Gal Pal and Help Raise Money to Support Domestic Violence Survivors
- The Allstate Foundation will donate another $1 if you take the pledge to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence. As part of the pledge, your photo will be added to the “Faces of Support” gallery to show survivors that they aren’t facing domestic violence alone.
- Help us reach our goal of raising $20,000. Tell Gal Pal to join the movement on Facebook.
“I wrote this blog post while participating in The Allstate Foundation’s Tell a Gal Pal blogging program with TwitterMoms, making me eligible to get an interview with Cheryl Burke. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”