Hello, everyone... Time for a Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse update! There's SOOO much that's been going on as we focus on Awareness, Prevention and Healing! I'll summarize it, and also invite you to check out the the links below as there's lots of additional, really interesting within those. Also, I have a CHALLENGE for you -- an important one! Read on -- the Challenge info is toward the bottom.
1. Here are some of the activities that we've been up to this Spring - and what's happening over the next few months!:
2. Teacher Training Petition. In response to the Penn State and Syracuse, and other, recent (and not-so-recent scandals, Stop the Silence took up a petition to urge the U.S. Congress to mandate training for teachers and other school related personnel so that they can understand and recognize child sexual abuse. We had set the goal originally at 10,000 signatures, but that was so quickly obtained that we raised the goal and then raised it and raised it again. A this writing, there are just under 80,000 signatures and the names of all those from the U.S. continue to be sent to Congress this coming week. We invite you to add your names to the list.
3. As I reported last time, Stop the Silence is heavily involved with the Stop Abuse Campaign. Read about the Campaign and take the pledge -- we will all benefit!
Some plans for the upcoming years:
We Continue to Need Your Help!! Here's the Challenge...
We're currently raising funds to make sure all costs associated with the international kickoff for "Kelpie" in San Diego are covered. In the next four months, we need to raise $30,000. I'm asking for your help in raising $10,000 between now and August 31, 2012 -- and more if you can help us swing it (give whatever you can each month, ask your friends and family to donate, etc.) All donations are tax-deductible through our safe Global Giving page.
We really need you. If we all do a little, we can do a lot!!
Thank you all!!
Very Sincerely,
Pamela Pine, PhD, MPH, Founder, Stop the Silence
Hello, everyone! I wanted to wish you all a very happy New Year!! We are always happy about the work moving forward, and yet, this year, I'm sensing a real change afloat with regard to child sexual abuse awareness and our programming. We expect to be able to share some very exciting news with you all soon.
I also want to send you all an update now about the activities of Stop the Silence so that you're kept "in the loop."
1. Primary Programming News. There is lots happening, as usual. Of course, there is the on-going work on some up-and-coming activities:
2. Teacher Training Petition. In response to the Penn State and Syracuse, and other, recent (and not-so-recent scandals, Stop the Silence took up a petition to urge the U.S. Congress to mandate training for teachers and other school related personnel so that they can understand and recognize child sexual abuse. We had set the goal originally at 10,000 signatures, but that was so quickly obtained that we raised the goal to 15,000. A this writing, there are 15,399 signatures and the names -- from people all over the world! -- are going to Congress this coming week. We invite you to add your names to the list.
3. Stop the Silence and its involvement in Major National Coalitions. We have been a part and also recently joined and are working with a few coalitions of organizations that are addressing the issue of child sexual abuse (CSA) together in the aftermath of the abuse scandals at Penn State, Syracuse University, and elsewhere, with a focus on comprehensive programming on CSA and other types of interpersonal violence. These coalitions include:
4.Matthew McVarish's Walk from Spain to France. Matthew McVarish, the playwright who wrote "Kelpie" (who also plays one of the brothers in the U.S. performances) walked for a week in October 2011 from Spain to France -- about 120 miles -- to raise awareness about CSA and raise funds for Stop the Silence and the Moira Anderson Foundation. In the process, Matt helped raise about $3,000! You can read all about his harrowing and hysterically-told tale in his blog. He is planning a really long walk for 2012 all around the UK for the same purpose.
5. Report out on Awareness and Education Activities. Certainly, we continue to work to bring awareness and education through the media (e.g., ClearChannel Radio, Channel 9, through newspapers like the LA Times and various articles in The Washington Times (three articles - click on the words "The," (for the first article), "Washington" for Part 1, and "Times" for Part 2, for two other articles, which highlight general info and info about Kelpie and the Race), and through schools, houses of worship, and health fairs, like the upcoming NBC4 Health Fair in DC.
6. Board Report. I should add that our Board continues to grow with important expertise as a result... In addition to individuals with important skills that we need, and representation from survivors, we have been diligently recruiting representation of those with major foundation and corporate experience and reach to help put Stop the Silence on even firmer footing. All of the Board information is up on the Web site, www.stopcsa.org. A shout out to Mark Williams, Chair, for his tireless work on the organization's behalf!!
And, while you're on the site, check out the beautiful and updated Survivors section! There has definitively been a change over the past year or two; survivors -- men and women -- are speaking out in unprecedented numbers. We applaud and celebrate their bravery and healing!
We Continue to Need Your Help!!
Unless societies throughout the world can face and address CSA, it will not be stopped. This year, we've continued to provide information to prevent CSA through classrooms, and community venues and events, and offer survivors and supporters a means to share information and healing directly through safe, creative and accessible venues. We bring CSA out of the shadows and into the light worldwide by providing a safe way for survivors to share their thoughts and experiences and reach others with such important information. Please help us continue to do this important work by making a tax-deductible donation now through our safe Global Giving page.
We really need you. If we all do a little, we can do a lot!!
Thank you all!!
Very Sincerely,
Pamela Pine, PhD, MPH, Founder, Stop the Silence
Hello, everyone. I'm sending a quick report to update you and to ask you to help out in this upcoming GlobalGiving matching campaign starting on Oct. 19 at 12:01am EST for donations made in the U.S. through the GlobalGiving Stop the Silence site. There is a 30% matching donation from GlobalGiving starting at that time for donations up to $1,000 until $100,000 in matching funds has been spent. Please do log on to the Global Giving Stop the Silence site as close after 12:01 EST on Oct. 19 to do your part in helping raise funds to help Stop the Silence -- whether it's $5 or $500 or more, we need your help!!
In addition to a number of trainings in schools and religious institutions over the past months, we have been heavily involved lately with the development of new information materials, and with gearing up at for both the New York City off-broadway production of To Kill A Kelpie and the 2012 Race to Stop the Silence (April 29, 2012) in downtown Washington, D.C., off Freedom Plaza -- and we need your help to succeed on all fronts.
1. As I've mentioned, Stop the Silence’s successful running of its Phase I Art and Advocacy Program is moving into the next phases:
Summer/Fall 2011-Mid-Winter 2011/2012: Finalize business model, plan, and legal framework that include identifying the means by which to collaborate with groups throughout the U.S. to bring To Kill A Kelpie to their local areas.
Winter 2011-Spring 2012: Plan, rehearse, and then perform “Kelpie” in NYC to larger venues (about 300 seater theatres) and one or more other locations.
Summer: Carry out evaluation/finalize evaluation document(s), and plan for a further broadening of the Art as Advocacy Program using "Kelpie" and other works to reach wide audiences.
Fall 2012: Kick off Phase 3 by distributing materials before the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence's 17th Annual Conference through their 20,000 member e-mail list, the Prevent Child Abuse America e-list, the Stop the Silence e-list and other groups and media; distributing materials at the conference; and performing the play at the conference and elsewhere in San Diego. In 2012, we plan to reach out to others throughout the world through our Art-as-Advocacy Program.
Matthew McVarish, the playwright who wrote "Kelpie" (who also plays one of the brothers in the U.S. performances) is about to start is "short walk" on Oct. 24 from Spain to France to raise awareness about CSA and Stop the Silence and is planning a really long walk for 2012 all around the UK for the same purpose. This helps kick off additional international Stop the Silence programming.
2. We're gearing up now for the 8th annual Race to Stop the Silence on April 29, 2012 in downtown D.C. (www.stopcsa.org/race -- registration is open). Over 1200 people registered in 2011. The Race has proven over and over again its worth in reaching individuals and the masses with information to increase awareness and catalyze community action on CSA.
3. Training and outreach is going great. Stop the Silence is continually requested to come out to schools, organizations and religious groups' gatherings to bring awareness and understanding to kids of all ages, their guardians, and those who serve them (teachers, counselors, religious leaders). We are working on our upcoming months' schedule for this type of training and educational programming.
Again, thank you all for your on-going support! Please do log on as close after 12:01 EST on Oct. 19 to do your part in helping raise funds to help Stop the Silence -- whether it's $5 or $500 or more, it all helps!! Thanks!!
Best, Pam
Pamela Pine, Founder, Stop the Silence
Hello, everyone! Stop the Silence has had SUCH an exciting Spring! In addition to the work that we do on an on-going basis (the health fairs, school outreach, training, media advocacy, etc.), two programs had great success. We're thrilled to be able to share our news with you.
Important and Impactful Stop the Silence Spring 2011 Programming
1. To Kill A Kelpie, the Stop the Silence-inspired, Scottish-born play by playwright Matthew McVarish, had a WONDERFUL U.S. tour in April (San Francisco, Chicago, and D.C.) that was supported by the U.S. Government's office of Health and Human Services (HHS, www.hhs.gov) and Adam and Partners Investment Advisors (http://adampts.com/swf/NavMenu.swf). At the end of each play, we had a very lively question/answer and discussion period. The play has it's own Web site, where you can learn more about it: www.ToKillAKelpie.com (and which we'll update to keep information about the use of the play flowing). I'm including below and also attaching some general and evaluation information about the play. Do check out the information attached -- it's wonderful stuff!
Here are a couple of examples of outcomes: a) while nearly a third of all respondents identified their CSA knowledge as “minimal” or “moderate” before seeing the play and taking part in the discussion, 0% (none), identified their level as “minimal” after the play/discussion; 8% identified their knowledge as “moderate” after the play/discussion having moved to other, higher levels; and those identifying their knowledge as “Good,” “V. Good,” or “Excellent,” increased from 69% to 92%! b) Additionally, results showed that 65% of respondents thought that the play/discussion helped them understand “a good deal” or “a great deal” what the community can do, and another 18% thought that the program helped them to understand “moderately” more about what the community can do. Comments indicated that many people intended to do something concrete about CSA prevention and treatment.
The play impacted audiences a great deal across the U.S. and also had an unexpected impact on yours truly -- it just grabbed me at my core! The actors, Matthew McVarish (who is also the playwright) and Allan Linsay; Jacob Wilkins, Production Manager; and Lauren Graham, the Stage Manager, were more than fantastic to work with and made this production sing. The involvement of community groups in each location was wonderful. Members of the audience in every venue felt inspired and safe enough to share their own histories -- with strangers! PBS, which as I reported last time, has approached us about doing a documentary about Stop the Silence, filmed one of the productions in DC and we hope that we'll be able to generate the underwriting needed to get the rest of the filming going soon (so, if you know any companies that would like really great, national recognition for that, please do let me know!)
I am going to Scotland this July -- a great place for a vacation, yes, but it's also the home of Sandra Brown, OBE, Founder and ED of the Moira Anderson Foundation (http://www.moiraanderson.org/) and members of her Board, with whom I will be meeting. The MAF helped provide support for the initial writing of Kelpie. There are plans afloat for Stop the Silence and Moira Anderson to partner on global programming. How exciting!
Matt is help kicking this off at the end June 2011 with a walk from Span to France to raise funds through Global Giving!! Please help us get that going by making a tax deductible contribution that will support the work of the partnership -- and please encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to also give through Global Giving.
2. The Seventh Annual Race to Stop the Silence. There were over 1200 registrants this year at the Race, which took place on April 23, 2011 in downtown Washington, D.C. -- right at the heart of the city. Runners ran right into the face of the Capitol and past the Department of Justice -- how apropos! The Race is great at not only getting people out but getting them activated and also generating lots of media. This year, PBS, as well as WTOP (THE drive-time and major news station in DC) were there. Leading up to the Race, Women's Calendar/Women's Radio, WPFW, and ClearChannel Radio did interviews, and many others provided information as well. We have HUNDREDS of pics available for viewing. See the link below. They're great!. We're already gearing up for 2012!
Other Important News
We Continue to Need Your Help!!
Unless societies throughout the world can face and address CSA, it will not be stopped. This year, we've continued to provide information to prevent CSA through classrooms, and community venues and events, and offer survivors and supporters a means to share information and healing directly through safe, creative and accessible venues. We bring CSA out of the shadows and into the light worldwide by providing a safe way for survivors to share their thoughts and experiences and reach others with such important information. Please help us continue to do this important work by making a tax-deductible donation now through our safe Global Giving page.
We really need you. If we all do a little, we can do a lot!!
Thank you all!!
Very Sincerely,
Pamela Pine
Links:
Over the past quarter, from January through March, 2011, in addition to the day-to-day work that we do reaching out to children in schools and centers for pregnant teens and to and adults through community activities and health fairs (e.g., NBC 4 Health Fair), as well as the other on-going services, information, education, and advocacy, and the research and policy work we do, we've been working very hard to to bring the wonderful events to the public that we do each April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
This year, these include three important programs: 1) the annual Race to Stop the Silence (the Seventh!), 2) bringing a Stop the Silence-inspired, Scottish-born play, To Kill A Kelpie, to the U.S., and 3) the development of a PBS special on Stop the Silence as a part of their acclaimed 17-year-old program, The Visionaries, narrated by Sam Waterston.
I also want to make sure that I tell you about our new and growing and wonderful Board of Directors, which thus far includes great and on-going leadership as well as wonderful, new additions to our "family" that include: Stuart Adam, Founder and primary manager of Adam and Partners Investment Advisors; and Ray Brown, Founder and COO of Daystars Studio Entertainment, sales manager and preacher. We expect to add additional members to our Board very, very soon (so stay tuned). This new, bigger Board, which provides, too, representation in various states throughout the U.S., predicts good things for the future.
And, you can also help make a big difference!! Starting at 12:01 am EST GlobalGiving is matching donations 30% up to $1,000 per donor per project. Please take advantage of this great opportunity to support the work that we do!
Now, to our news for the quarter:
International Race to Stop the Silence Hits Its 7th Year -- Join us on April 23!
Raising awareness and funds for the prevention and mitigation of child sexual abuse.
More than a thousands flock the streets of Washington, D.C. each year in April for the biggest CSA event of the year. This year, the Race to Stop the Silence includes an 8K race, a 5K fun run and walk, and a 1K kids' fun run. Entertainment, speakers, awards, prizes and more make this a lively event that draws attention to CSA and reaches millions through the media and community outreach.
There's still time to sign up! Sign up now! Register and find volunteer opportunities here: stopcsa.org/race. Please pass on the information and encourage others to get involved! Thanks!
Race to Stop the Silence - Stop Child Sexual Abuse
We want to give a BIG thanks to our current supporters of the Race, which so far include: Adam and Parnters Investment Advisors, the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, Womens' Calendar/Women's Radio, WTOP, ClearChannel Radio, Channel 9, Coca-Cola (and Desani and PowerAde), R squared design and advertising, Safeway, Giant Foods, Dole, Clif Bars, Einstein Bagels, Breads Unlimited, The Bagel Place, Manhattan Bagels Tyson's Bagel Market, Bethsda Bagels, McCormick and Schmick's Restaurant, Wildfire Restaurant, Dick's Sporting Goods, Road ID, and the public for its contributions.
To Kill a Kelpie: Stop the Silence-inspired, Scottish-born Play Debuts in April in the U.S.
Playwright Matthew McVarish's play about CSA makes its rounds around the country.
To Kill a Kelpie is about the unfolding and sharing of a secret between two adult brothers that has never been spoken of before. A kelpie is widely known as a devious creature lurking in the depths of highland locks. When the two grown brothers reunite following the death of their uncle, they realize that his gruesome tales of the child-devouring monster were simply stories made to foster a climate of fear and ensure their silence and cooperation during years of sexual abuse.
In this unconventional drama, we meet the two men talking to the children they were. Still unsure whether there may be any truth in the kelpie stories, they face one another like a mirror to open painful boxes of sexual confusion, self-doubt and shame, while endeavoring honestly to end the silence and open their minds enough to consider what it would take "to kill a kelpie."
With funds from the United States government's Health and Human Services (HHS) and Adam and Partners Investment Advisors, Stop the Silence is bringing this play to San Francisco (April 1-2), Chicago (April 4-5) and Washington, D.C. (April 9-11). Information is being distributed through community-based partners, the media and others to ensure a public education format. An after-show discussion promotes understanding and action! Please come to one of the performances if you can -- and please let others know about them. The flyers for each venue are attached.
Tickets are free with advance reservations. Call Jacob: 512-522-6231.
PBS Develops Documentary About Stop the Silence
As part of the acclaimed 17-year-long series The Visionaries, narrated by Sam Waterston, a documentary about Stop the Silence will be developed for PBS. It will start filming in April at the To Kill a Kelpie play and the Race to Stop the Silence. When completed, it will be shown on PBS stations throughout the U.S. and widely spread information about CSA and Stop the Silence. PBS and Stop the Silence are currently working together to plan and develop the documentary, and recruiting corporate and other sponsors for this program, which provides widespread public thanks for their contributions to PBS.
Click here for more information on The Visionaries.
We need your help to continue the great work we do. These activities are critical to the national agenda. Please consider providing a current or on-going donation to help us to continue to move forward! Whether $10, $50, $100 or more is possible, it helps us enormously. Thank you for all you have done and do! Pam
Links:
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