March 6 through 12 has been designated 'No More-A week of action' by a Bloomington-based national organization.
Together with its sponsors, the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence seeks to end domestic violence and sexual assault through what it calls " a movement centered on a powerful new symbol that brings together all people who want to end domestic violence and sexual assault."
Kim Wells, CAEPV Executive Director, appeared on GLT's Sound Ideas. She said the symbol, a simple 'O', recognizes the effort to totally wipe out the number of domestic violence and sexual assault cases through a coordinated campaign.
Wells said a public service announcement developed in Bloomington last year for the Super Bowl has become national code-speak for domestic violence victims. "It was an actual 911 call from a woman who had called 911 to order a pizza because that was her way to get help so that her abuser wouldn't know," said Wells. "And, a personally touching thing to me was I got a message from someone I've known and haven't had contact with for 20 years who said, 'I'd like to order a pizza.'"
Wells said considerable progress is being made locally at the college campus level. "ISU I have to say has done a stellar job in addressing the issue. I think ISU has amazing programs." But she says more work generally needs to be done on campuses. "Across the country," said Wells, "seeing campuses starting to really come out of the darkness, it's the only way we can change the issue. It has to be brought to the light."
There's more information about the 'No More-A week of action' activities at nomore.org.
