Contact: Brian Pacheco, Safe Horizon’s Director of Public Relations
212.577.7709 | c. 646.306.1136 | e. Brian.Pacheco@safehorizon.org
Tamron Hall, Dave Navarro, Kyra Sedgwick, Alan Cumming, Michael Bolton and others take the #PutTheNailinIt vow to end domestic violence and officially launch PSA with Safe Horizon
September 22, 2016 (New York, NY) – Safe Horizon, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to helping victims of violence including those affected by domestic abuse, today launched the PSA for its groundbreaking “#PutTheNailinIt” campaign. #PutTheNailinIt encourages men, women, and even children to take the vow to end domestic violence. Domestic violence can affect anyone and chances are that you already know someone who is suffering in silence. Together, with just three simple steps, we can shatter the silence that too often allows domestic violence to thrive, and help link victims to lifesaving services that can stop violence in their lives. First, donate to Safe Horizon to support services that help victims become survivors; then paint your left ring fingernail purple — the color of the anti-domestic violence movement — to signify your vow against domestic violence and that you donated; and finally, share your vow with the world on social media with the hashtag #PutTheNailinIt.
Safe Horizon, along with America’s fastest growing multicultural marketing agency, Gravity, produced a moving 30-second PSA that includes celebrity ambassadors, many who have experienced the horrors of domestic violence in some form: they have lost family members to this epidemic, they have seen friends in abusive relationships or are survivors themselves. The PSA features Tamron Hall, co-host of NBC News’ TODAY, anchor of MSNBC Live and host of Investigation Discovery’s DEADLINE: CRIME, who tragically lost her sister to domestic violence in 2004; musician and Ink Master host Dave Navarro, who lost his mother to domestic violence when he was only 15-years-old; GRAMMY award winning singer Michael Bolton; actor and Tony Award winner Alan Cumming; domestic violence survivor and advocate Beverly Gooden; domestic violence survivor Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev; and actress Kyra Sedgwick.
MEDIA ASSETS: To view the #PutTheNailinIt PSA, celebrity ambassador photos, infographics and radio ad please click here.
“Domestic violence has no place in our society. We shouldn’t have to wait until there is a famous case in the news or a fatal incident to let victims know there is support available, ” said Safe Horizon CEO Ariel Zwang. “Through Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt campaign, we can all work together to put a stop to domestic violence. At Safe Horizon, we know how to help stop violence in victims’ lives, and the generous donations that we receive from this campaign will enable us to deepen effective services for tens of thousands.”
Campaign Celebrity Ambassador Quotes
“I’ve made no secret about how my family was personally affected by domestic violence. My sister’s memory is important to me and I want to uplift her name to help those families and victims who have felt alone. Since opening up and sharing our story I’ve been approached by countless people who have taken a stand. If we stand shoulder-to-shoulder we create a wall of protection. A safe place…a safe horizon, ” said Tamron Hall.
“When my mother’s life was taken by a domestic abuser, I unfortunately was a witness to how domestic violence can not only destroy the victim’s life, but the lives of friends and family members. My documentary Mourning Son was not only an exploration of the fallout from that horrible event, but an offer of assistance and love to those affected by this epidemic and the reason I’ve taken Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt vow. Together, let’s spread awareness and put an end to domestic violence.” said Dave Navarro.
“Domestic violence can affect anyone. As a queer man I am saddened that 1 in 4 gay men will be a victim of domestic violence in his lifetime. Whether gay or straight, we need to have zero tolerance for domestic violence and I salute full heartedly Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt campaign for advocating exactly that, ” said Alan Cumming.
“As a woman and a mother of a young woman, the prevalence of domestic violence horrifies me. Domestic violence is a secret, insidious and rampant epidemic that is so often kept shamefully behind closed doors. I think the thing people need the most is a safe place to land and that’s what Safe Horizon is all about, ” said Kyra Sedgwick.
“Being raised primarily by a single mother and being a father of three daughters gave me great empathy for the safety of women and children. When I learned how many women and children are victims of the intolerable cycle of violence, to a large extent domestic violence, I knew I had to do something. As a result, I began working with the Michael Bolton Charities responding to the needs of children and women at risk of abuse. Today, I am honored to take the vow to end domestic violence. Men, including fathers and sons, must be part of the solution. I challenge all men to join me in taking Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt vow, ” said Michael Bolton.
“It’s hard to talk about domestic violence. Even as someone who survived it, saying the words out loud can be painful. But the #PutTheNailInIt campaign gives me a subtle way to initiate a dialogue about domestic violence. Every time I see a purple nail, I know I’m in the company of someone who has the courage to stand in solidarity with us, ” said Beverly Gooden.
“When I began competing in the Miss America competition, I was told to choose a platform. As a result, I made a deeply personal choice that would not only heal myself but let other survivors know they are not alone. Together, our voices became louder. I am so honored to work with Safe Horizon and take the #PutTheNailinIt vow to not only bring awareness to domestic violence but to take action and support survivors, like myself, in their time of need, ” said Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev.
Silence allows the issue of domestic violence to thrive, but the statistics are loud and clear: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime and more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year. While 60% of Americans say they know a victim of domestic violence, 2 out of 3 (67%) Americans have never talked about domestic violence with their friends. And 3 out of 4 (73%) of U.S. parents say they have never had a conversation about domestic violence with their children.
Safe Horizon launched the #PutTheNailinIt campaign to spark a national conversation around domestic violence so that victims of abuse will know that they are supported and that Safe Horizon is there to help. Every single day women, children, and families seek Safe Horizon during their most critical time of need whether they need help to stay safe or after leaving a domestic violence situation. For survivors who take the courageous step of leaving, Safe Horizon provides a safe place to lay their head at night. Just as important, Safe Horizon provides other supports that end domestic violence. As seen on The Huffington Post, along with shelter, other proven supports include orders of protection, advocacy, legal representation, hotline services, counseling, and economic empowerment.
“We are deeply grateful to Tamron Hall for lending her voice to Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt campaign and to all those individuals and institutions who have and will lend their collective voices, donate, and paint their left ring fingernails to show support for victims of abuse, ” Zwang continued.
Investigation Discovery and Spike have graciously donated air time for the month of October, in honor of domestic violence awareness month, to air Safe Horizon’s #PutTheNailinIt PSA. Also this October, Dave Navarro will be the first-ever male honoree at Investigation Discovery’s fourth annual INSPIRE A DIFFERENCE honors event in New York City. As an honoree, Dave has chosen Safe Horizon to receive $10, 000 from Investigation Discovery.
Digital media company CafeMedia has also generously supported #PutTheNailinIt with advertising space and content on their platform CafeMom.
To donate and take the vow to end domestic violence, visit putthenailinit.org or safehorizon.org.
MEDIA ASSETS: To view the #PutTheNailinIt PSA, celebrity ambassador photos, infographics and radio ad please click here.
*interviews with talent may be available upon request
About Safe Horizon
Safe Horizon empowers victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking to move from crisis to confidence – touching the lives of 250, 000 children, adults, and families every year. Safe Horizon operates New York’s domestic violence hotline and the largest domestic violence shelter program in the country. Each year, nearly 100, 000 people call the hotline and the shelters provide temporary housing to more than 850 survivors of domestic violence and their 1, 100 children after escaping an abusive situation.
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