BPW - Issues


	Issues

Silent Witness Program

Kalispell, October, 2008

Silent Witness National Initiative

Bozeman BPW supports the Silent Witness Initiative which seeks to involve men and women of all ages, races, creeds and socioeconomic groups in an effort to: promote one of the most elemental of all human rights -- safety in our homes; identify and change violent traditions so we re not condemned to repeat them; reframe societal attitudes about domestic violence; and use visual imagery to break the silence for victims whose lives have been lost or who are in danger.

Mission Statement of the Silent Witness National Initiative

Promote peace, healing and responsibility in adult relationships in order to eliminate domestic murders in the United States by the year 2010.

Goal

Promote successful community-based domestic violence reduction efforts in order to reach zero domestic murders by 2010.

Steps to the goal

Create Silent Witness Exhibits in all 50 states to document the murders, and honor the victims and their individual stories.
Institute an educational campaign using the motto: "Real men don't hurt women."
Tour the Witnesses in every state to raise awareness and increase involvement.
March with all 50 states in Washington, D.C. to renounce domestic violence and gain commitment to healing, peace and action in each state.
Promote four successful flagship programs that reduce domestic violence: 1) The Quincy Model, 2) Date Violence, 3) Men's Treatment Programs, and 4) Church-Based Intervention Programs.
Measure states' results, recognize their efforts and promote successful projects.

Montana has 59 "Witnesses" constructed by the Sigma Nu Fraternity at the University of Montana, and by Claude and Dolly Sims, from materials donated by Boyce Lumber, Sherwin Williams and Clark Fork Realty - Better Homes and Gardens in Missoula.

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