Contact: Joan LaRocca, Justice Department's Office on Violence against Women, 202-307-6026

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Justice Department's Office on Violence against Women (OVW) has launched a powerful 30-second public service announcement (PSA) to continue raising awareness about domestic abuse, Mary Beth Buchanan, Acting Director of OVW, announced today.  The PSA, released in both English and Spanish, was launched in recognition of October's designation as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and can be found at www.enditnow.gov.

The goals of the public service announcement and resources available on www.enditnow.gov are to facilitate a greater public dialogue about and encourage prevention of domestic violence.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department's National Institute of Justice jointly report that domestic abuse is not only physical or sexual; it also includes emotional, economic or psychological intimidation or manipulation.  Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, sexual orientation, or sex and continues to invade the public and private lives of women, men and children regardless of education, income level or geography. 

"Domestic violence is not only a personal tragedy, it is a serious crime that negatively affects women, men, children, neighborhoods and communities," said Acting Director Mary Beth Buchanan. "By becoming aware of abusive behaviors, everyone can be an agent for change.   The materials we are making available will assist the public and victims to share their voices in stopping the abuse."

Enditnow.gov serves as a comprehensive online resource to assist victims of domestic abuse, or those who might know a victim. In addition to the PSA, resources on the www.enditnow.gov web site include:

• Links to hotlines for victims of abuse;
• Information on and locations of the President's Family Justice Centers;
• Online and national resource organizations; and
• Tip sheets about abusive relationships and resource organizations.

Phase I of the education project includes distribution of the PSA to markets within the locations of the President's 15 Family Justice Centers. The President's Family Justice Centers, in coordination with public and private agencies, help local communities provide comprehensive services under one roof to victims of domestic violence.  The locations of the PSA markets are in Sitka, Ala.; Oakland, Calif.; Tampa, Fla.; Nampa, Idaho; South Bend, Ind.; Monroe, La.; Boston, Mass.; St. Louis, Mo.; Las Vegas, N.M.; Brooklyn and Buffalo, N.Y.; Defiance, Ohio; Tulsa, Okla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and San Antonio, Texas. 

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides national leadership in developing the nation's capacity to reduce violence against women though the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation.  Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing 12 federal grant programs, OVW often undertakes a number of special initiatives in response to areas of special need, dedicating resources to develop enhancements in areas requiring particular attention or in communities facing particularly acute challenges.  More information is available at www.usdoj.gov/ovw.