Do you know anyone who has suffered abuse from a person who claimed to love them? Has a person in your life ever suffered from inappropriate sexual actions or advances of another? If you believe the answer to both questions is NO, here are some facts you may like to think on. One in three women and one in five men have experienced at least one of these things at some time in their life. So, chances are pretty high that this has happened to someone you are close to.
Many of you have heard of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands (DVSAS). Perhaps you have seen some of their community outreach, demonstrations or educational programs they have shared. Or you may know someone they helped through a bad situation.
By now you may also be familiar with the newly formed men’s action group, The Stand Up Men. Maybe you have seen them at a local event trying to make the realities of violence known to you and those around you. Both DVSAS and The Stand Up Men are on the front lines, bringing safety, hope and healing; along with an opportunity to push back against the violence that hurts many people in your community.
This amazing work can only happen because of our incredible staff and volunteer team and caring generous individuals like you.
Last year DVSAS and The Stand Up Men reached out and asked for 100 men to donate $100 to honor a woman in their lives. It wasn’t just the money that mattered. It was the statement being made by the men both to their community and to the women who knew them. “Violence is not acceptable, and we will STAND UP against it” in 2015! Thanks to the many generous men, almost $12,000 was raised to support our work!
Here is how YOU can join our cause this year…
The Stand Up Men and DVSAS invite men and women, young and old, business owners and employees to join our 1000 Island Voices by giving $100 in honor of a loved one or friend. Your name, or the name of your business, will be listed in the paper at the end of the month. This way everyone will know that you have joined your voice with ours as we are “Speaking Up to Break the Silence Surrounding Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” in 2016.
We will send a message that the hate and cruelty of the few do not speak for our islands. This should truly be a paradise for everybody!
Please visit our website: DVSASsanjuans.org then click on the STAND UP MEN tab and donate today! Or you can mail a check to our Administration office at: DVSAS, PO Box 1516 Eastsound, WA 98245
Richard Low, DVSAS Community Advocate & Stand UP Men Coordinator
