From now until October, we’ll be partnering with Safe Horizon, the leading victim assistance organization in the country, to put an end to domestic violence by promoting their #PutTheNailInIt campaign. Here, more information on the organization, campaign and how you can get involved to put a stop to domestic violence.
#PutTheNailInIt and End Domestic Violence Today
Feature image via ms.sonyastrong.
Did you know that over 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men become victims of domestic violence at some point in their life? Domestic violence is an insidious threat in that it’s a silent one. While over 60% of Americans know of someone who has experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, only 43% have ever discussed the issue with their friends. This begs the question: How and when did we become voiceless to the societal ill that is domestic violence? And, if we’re not voiceless, why aren’t more of us speaking out and against DV? While much public discourse still needs to be undertaken to begin addressing the cause, not just symptoms, of DV, nonprofit organization Safe Horizon has made it their mission to provide assistance to as many victims of abuse as possible. The organization recently received media coverage for their #PutANailInIt campaign which asks advocates to do their part and speak up against DV by painting their left ring finger purple. If you’re interested in doing your part to end domestic violence, keep reading to learn more about the organization’s services and campaign.
Safe Horizon, a Home for Victims
Established in 1978, Safe Horizon has become the nation’s leading victim assistance organization, serving over 250,000 victims each year. Safe Horizon operates in 8 shelters across New York City and provides a myriad of client-centered services such as shelter and transitional aid, legal representation, behavioral therapy and economic empowerment to victims of domestic violence, sexual and/or child abuse, human trafficking, etc. Through innovative programs and collaborations with local agencies, Safe Horizon strives to create a “society free of family and community violence.” #PutTheNailInIt is one of the many ways Safe Horizon is working for a better, more peaceful tomorrow.
So What’s #PutANailInIt and How Can I Get Involved?
In 2014, the NFL had a huge scandal on their hands: footage of Baltimore Raven’s running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee (now-wife), Janay Rice, in the elevator surfaced, footage the NFL had seen months before and tried to sweep under the rug. If it hadn’t been for the NFL’s apathetic response to the scandal–one that revealed their lackadaisical attitude towards the serious issue of domestic violence–the #PutTheNailInIt campaign would never have been born. Purple, one of the Baltimore Ravens’ jersey colors, has now become the official color of the #PutTheNailInIt campaign and anyone seen with a purple left ring fingernail has taken a public stance against DV.
In 2015, Safe Horizon launched the #PutTheNailInIt campaign to spark conversation around domestic violence. Given the air time it had received after multiple NFL scandals, the time for public discourse had arrived and social media was chosen as the vessel through which their message could be communicated. Thus, #PutTheNailInIt was born. Safe Horizon asks advocates against domestic violence to paint the nail of their left ring finger purple. This simple act inspires hope with its message that there is a solution to domestic violence and that solution starts with us. If you participate in the #PutTheNailItIn campaign, challenge friends to do the same!
Want to get help make DV a thing of the past? You can get involved in one of two ways:
- Donate to Safe Horizon, the largest victim’s services agency in the country, and help victims become survivors
- Paint your left ring fingernail purple to show your support and share on social media with the hashtag #PutTheNailinIt
While there are many ways to acquaint ourselves with the issue of domestic violence, there is none more powerful than the firsthand account. As part of their campaign, Safe Horizon has interviewed various athletes who are former victims of domestic violence. Their first interview with Jade, TNA Knockout pro wrestler, can be read here.
To learn more about Safe Horizon’s services, visit their website.
