Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors, Nonprofits, Corporations and Advocates Join the NO MORE Campaign’s Global Event, March 5–11

Week Launches NO MORE Challenge, Sponsored by Verizon, to Raise Funds for Local Charities’ Lifesaving Services and Prevention Programs

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 5, 2017 – From March 5 through 11, an unprecedented number of survivors of violence, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and communities will come together for NO MORE Week, a global event to help stop domestic violence and sexual assault.

Now in its fourth year, NO MORE Week 2017, a project of the NO MORE campaign, includes social media activations, special television programming, school activities and community events around the world to increase awareness, encourage greater action and provide support for anti-violence organizations. In addition, the Week marks the start of the NO MORE Challenge, an online Crowdrise fundraiser, sponsored by Verizon, which will result in the award of $150,000 in grants to local community nonprofits.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault impact so many of us – directly or through our friends, coworkers and relatives – but we don’t talk about the issues enough, and that’s part of the problem,” said NO MORE co-founder, Jane Randel.

Today, one in three women will experience physical violence, sexual assault or stalking from an intimate partner in her lifetime, and one in six men will be sexually abused before the age of 18.

“Many of the life-saving organizations that are working on the front lines to stop the violence are severely underfunded,” Randel said, “so during NO MORE Week, we strive to make it easy for more people and organizations to contribute.”

This year’s theme for the Week, “Louder Together,” encourages more individuals and groups to join the diverse, global community that is helping to end domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse. A guide for the Week offers simple ways to get involved, including:

• Talk – to friends and family about these issues, and join the conversation on social media with #NOMOREWeek and #LouderTogether.
• Give – an old phone to Verizon’s HopeLine project or just $10 to the NO MORE Challenge to help lifesaving nonprofits continue their vital work.
• Activate –friends, coworkers or neighbors to host an awareness event or fundraiser for a local nonprofit (add your event to the Louder Together Map).

Over the years, NO MORE Week has engaged millions of people and 2017 is on target to dramatically expand the reach of the effort. Examples of activities and events planned this year include:

Corporate Initiatives:

• Verizon is giving US-based domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse-prevention nonprofits the chance earn $150,000 through the annual NO MORE Challenge. The nonprofit that generates the most in individual donations (by April 11, 2017), will earn the grand prize of $40,000. Subsequent awards, ranging from $2,000–$20,000 will also be available to participating organizations.

• Jamberry, the innovative nail wrap company, is launching an exclusive NO MORE nail wrap, proceeds of which will help support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Jamberry sales force, and volunteers nationwide, can also host Jamberry parties during March to support the domestic or sexual violence prevention group of their choice. Jamberry is also excited to be the principal corporate partner of a new charitable foundation, Fight Against Domestic Violence.

State and Local Activities:

• Hawai‘i Says NO MORE will host a series of events throughout the week. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will issue an official proclamation naming March 5–11 “Hawai‘i Says NO MORE Week,” as will Governor David Ige and mayors from Hawai‘i Island, Maui and Kauai. Iconic buildings, including City Hall and the IBM building, will light up blue in honor of the week. Hawai‘i Says NO MORE T-shirts will be on sale at Bloomingdale’s Ala Moana store from March 6 to benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation, and on March 9, Project Runway designer Kini Zamora will be on hand to style and sign purchases (5–8 pm). On March 10, Bishop Square (11 am–1 pm) will display eight versions of the Hawai‘i Says NO MORE print ads. Numerous businesses and organizations across the state will be distributing the Hawai‘i Says NO MORE magnet for free throughout the Week, including Kapolei Commons. There will also be a week-long Hawai‘i Says NO MORE social media photo challenge, encouraging residents to share photos with the NO MORE symbol as seen in local buses for a chance to win prizes.

• At “Operation NO MORE,” a volunteer-led event at the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution at Forest, almost 900  staff and inmates are saying NO MORE. There are over 850 men who have pledged to say NO MORE. Participants will assemble care packages for a local shelter, stage an art exhibition and personalize NO MORE signs to share with NO MORE and S.A.F.E. OF Clarion County.

• Raliance, a collaborative initiative dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation, is bringing 80 high school students together for the ThisGEN Youth Summit in Washington D.C. (March 6–10, 2017). The week will include a ThisGEN rally and march to raise awareness, in addition to leadership and learning opportunities to inspire youth to bring activism back into their communities to end gender-based violence.

• Southwest PA Says NO MORE presents the “Spirit of NO MORE” event, celebrating the impact that Pittsburgh area groups and advocates are making, increasing education and support for healthy relationships, and prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, in schools, sports and businesses. The event, on March 9, at 3 p.m., will feature musical performances and speakers, including NO MORE co-founder, Jane Randel.

Non-profit initiatives :

• Activist and survivor Brenda Tracy, who was assaulted by four football players as a young woman, has now made it her mission to end sexual and domestic violence in the athletic community, and is an Ambassador for NO MORE. During NO MORE Week, she will launch the new “Set The Expectation Pledge,” giving college and high school athletes and coaches a chance to say “NO MORE” to physical or sexual abuse on their teams.

• Breakthrough U.S. is partnering with NO MORE to launch a campus organizing guide on March 8, 2017 aimed at inspiring and empowering students with the tools to transform their campus culture.

Media events:

• As part of Investigation Discovery’s (ID) ongoing public affairs campaign, INSPIRE A DIFFERENCE, the network is honoring NO MORE Week by airing the NO MORE Super Bowl 49 PSA “Listen” during a dedicated programming marathon, featuring series and specials that address domestic violence and sexual assault on Sunday, March 12 (9 am–12 pm ET). ID and NO MORE encourage viewers to join a conversation on Twitter on ways to create change in your community. Follow @DiscoveryID and use the hashtags #InspireADifference and #NOMOREweek.

To learn more about NO MORE Week or to register an event on the Louder Together Map, visit www.nomore.org/nomoreweek2017. Join the conversation on social media by following #NOMOREWeek and #LouderTogether.

About NO MORE

NO MORE unites and strengthens a diverse, global community to help end domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse. Dedicated to inspiring cultural change and advancing societal progress, NO MORE provides public awareness campaigns, marketing tools and communications resources for anti-violence organizations, large and small. Encouraging everyone – women and men, youth and adults, from all walks of life – to be part of the solution, NO MORE sparks national and international grassroots activism. Launched in 2013, NO MORE brings together the largest coalition of advocacy groups, service providers, governmental agencies, major corporations, universities, communities and individuals, all under a common brand and a unifying symbol in support of a world free of violence. NO MORE is a project of NEO Philanthropy, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Learn more about NO MORE or download our free tools at www.nomore.org. Sign up for email updates (www.nomore.org) and follow NO MORE on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nomoreorg), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NOMORE.org) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/nomoreorg).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kate Yee

Kate.yee@flag.co.uk // 251-406-0920