Wed Mar 9 2016, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Twitter town hall by PCADV, PCAR

Please use hashtags #NOMOREWeek or #PaSaysNoMore to join the conversation

The Bill Cosby case is among the topics that Pennsylvanians are invited to discuss during a Twitter town hall chat from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9. The Montgomery County district attorney’s office charged Cosby with sexual assault, and dozens of other women have accused the popular comedian of assaulting them. Other town hall topics will include “Why do victims wait to report sexual assault?’ and “How to take action to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.’’

The town hall is being co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, and is among the events to celebrate March 6-12 as NO MORE Week of Action in the commonwealth. NO MORE is a national campaign to end domestic and sexual violence. PCADV and PCAR are partners in promoting NO MORE in Pennsylvania, including operating the www.pasaysnomore.com website.

Noting that 85,000 Pennsylvanians seek domestic violence services each year, PCADV Executive Director Peg J. Dierkers said, “We need to change the culture and the way people think about domestic violence and sexual assault. NO MORE Week is a great opportunity for all of us to stand together to raise awareness and say NO MORE so that the next generation can live free of domestic violence and sexual assault.” PCAR CEO Delilah Rumburg added: “We’re calling on our community to break the cycle of silence that allows rape and other forms of sexual assault and domestic violence to thrive,” Rumburg said. “Cases like Cosby, Jerry Sandusky, and the numerous instances of clergy abuse are shining more light than ever on the magnitude of the problem we face. We’ve already waited too long to take serious action. We’re calling on our community— and our lawmakers to take action. Learn about the issue. Get involved. Support legislation, such as the proposed Statute of Limitations reforms, that will help bring justice to victims. That starts by joining us for our Twitter chat. It is time to say NO MORE to sexual assault and domestic violence.”

Launched in March 2013, NO MORE is a symbol promoted nationally to raise awareness about sexual and domestic violence, and to connect people to resources for prevention and victim services. The National Football League featured NO MORE messages during pro football games, including the past two Super Bowls. PCADV and PCAR officially announced their statewide NO MORE campaign partnership in September 2013. This is the third year that PCADV and PCAR have partnered to host a Twitter town hall during NO MORE week.

Also on March 9, PCADV and PCAR will encourage Pennsylvania legislators to say NO MORE on social media. Lawmakers will be asked to have their photos taken as they hold signs showing why they say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault.