Victim no more

Speak Out Against Domestic Violence

Depression, anxiety, isolation, bruises, broken bones and even death. No one should ever have to endure the brutality of domestic violence but it happens and sadly more frequently. Everyday there are 29 women who become victims and so many more are unaccounted for. Breaking the cycle of violence is possible and it starts by speaking out.

Avon, the global beauty for women, launched a program that would encourage victims to break the cycle. Globally launched in 2004, Speak Out Against Domestic Violence is a program the advocates the end of domestic violence through awareness.

Last year, the Philippines have locally launched the campaign.

“Avon is the company for women and we are committed to advocate causes that affect them and help provide opportunities.” said Avon’s regional head for Communications for Asia Pacific, Louie Migne in the press release.

She added that, “Domestic violence is a key concern that needs everyone’s immediate attention. We realize that a woman’s greatest weapon is Empowerment—knowing one’s right, seeking help, speaking out. This is the very heart of our Speak Out Against Domestic Violence crusade.”

Last year the campaign began raising awareness and funds to support the Women’s Crisis Center in maintaining a hotline activation program, a program that enables victims to speak out. The program receives 400 calls a month.

Avon also partnered with local actress Ruffa Guiterrez, who experienced domestic violence as well.
Guiterrez is the local campaign ambassador. As the campaign ambassador, she spent her last birthday with domestic violence survivors at the Women’s Crisis Center.

This year, Avon together with Guiterrez continues their campaign and launched the campaign’s second year. It was a celebration of increasing number of victims who has chosen to speak out.

Guiterrez donated P200,000 to Women’s Crisis Center to show her support to the cause. The money she donated is what she won at Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

“2010 marks another big step for the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign. We continue with our commitment to empower women and spread the message that women must speak out against this issue as the first important step in putting a stop to it,” said Migne.

The success of last year’s campaign has allowed Avon to support three more non-government organizations (NGOs) as beneficiaries of the campaign.

Migne added, “With the overwhelming support the program has received when we launched last year, Avon has able to surpass its fundraising target, and has more NGOs as beneficiaries of the campaign. We had originally committed to support only one NGO. Now, aside from the Women’s Crisis Center, the company will also be supporting G-Wave in Dumaguete, IMA Foundation in Pampanga and LUNA in Davao.”

“There are countless women out there—women who remain faceless up to now, who remain in fearful silence. Speaking out is the first step to break the cycle of domestic violence. And if we put all our voices together, we can truly make a difference in the lives of women everywhere,” said Guiterrez.

To join Avon in its mission to bring awareness and raise funds for NGOs simply purchase either of its two fundraising products, the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence t-shirt, or Avon Skin So Soft Intensive Whitening Hand and Body Lotion.

Besides being an advocate against domestic violence, Avon is the largest corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause. Avon has raised and awarded $525 million for access to care and finding a cure to breast cancer. –HANNAH GREGORIO SPECIAL TO THE MANILA TIMES