Too many people do not know that one in three women and one in four men in the United States will be in violent relationship in their lifetime? Or that families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, now approaching 40 to 50 percent? Or that every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.
To help educate, Doorways for Women and Families in Arlington has launched #Knowthe5, a social media campaign for change.
According to Heather O’Malley, Doorways’ director of Development and Communications: “Through #Knowthe5, we hope to raise critical awareness of the issues facing too many of our neighbors. Once people are aware, they can make a difference; we know that when our community comes together, we can create real and lasting change.”
For the past 39 years, Doorways for Women and Families (www.doorwaysva.org) has been Arlington’s go-to resource for this crisis. According to Doorways’ President & CEO Caroline Jones, “Over the years, our response has grown and developed as we learned more and more about the lasting impacts of trauma and what it takes to not only help women and families escape crisis, but be empowered and achieve stability. Today, our comprehensive response to homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault in our community includes an immediate, safe response to our neighbors in crisis, including Arlington County's only 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (703-237-0881); safe housing options, from emergency shelter through long-term housing, including Arlington's only Domestic Violence Safe House, Safe Apartments and Safe Kennel; and comprehensive support services that help our clients achieve and maintain stability.”
Supporters of #Knowthe5 are asked to post selfies with their hand held up, palm facing the camera, fingers outstretched, to bring attention to five must-know facts. This visual will urge friends, fans and followers alike to stop the vicious cycle of violence, sexual assault and family homelessness and remind all that change is in their hands.
To find out what the five must-know facts are and to be a part of the change, go to www.doorwaysva.org/knowthe5.