Cramer-Krasselt Urges Domestic Violence Victims to Embrace the Ugly Truth

By Becky Johns, Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 at 3:20 pm

Bold campaign for Sojourner Family Peace Center to address rise in domestic violence

To curb a startling increase in domestic violence in the greater Milwaukee area, Cramer-Krasselt has developed a powerful new pro bono campaign for shelter and advocacy organization Sojourner Family Peace Center (SFPC), urging victims to get help – before it’s too late.

The number of homicides in Milwaukee attributed to domestic violence continues to rise, with the Milwaukee Police Department reporting 12 percent of homicides last year were related to domestic violence (up from 8 percent in 2009). Despite this increase, the number of calls being fielded by SFPC’s 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline dropped markedly over the same period, indicating victims may not know where to turn for help.

“For those fleeing an unhealthy and violent home environment, our 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline is often the first step of a journey toward empowerment and relief,” said Angela Mancuso, executive director of Sojourner Family Peace Center. “Our Hotline is a safety net; we want the community to be aware that we are here to help and no one needs to suffer alone. Recognizing the importance of our mission, Cramer-Krasselt developed a powerful campaign that lets victims of domestic violence know how to contact us, while reminding them of all the reasons why they cannot put this call off. We are grateful for C-K’s vision and strong investment in helping those we serve.”

Based on insight from previous shelter residents, C-K recognized that asking for help is easier said than done, complicated by a number of factors such as fear of retribution, mistrust of the system, financial dependence and, most of all, a hope against hope that it will eventually get better. Because domestic abuse is rarely a one-time event, and the consequences typically escalate with each occurrence, the “Fist” series of posters, digital billboards and “How Long” radio PSA carry the message that “The Longer You Wait, The Deadlier Abuse Gets.” Bold fists, representing a ticking time bomb in the form of dynamite and explosives, demonstrate that time is not on the victim’s side and urges them to seek help immediately.

“We all recognize that asking for help is hard to do, especially with so many barriers,” said C-K Milwaukee EVP/General Manager Betsy Brown. “The staggering increase of domestic violence in Milwaukee proves that Cramer-Krasselt needs to help elevate the reality of the situation – that without intervention, the end of the line can mean death. As a board member, I know that SFPC’s 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline is so much more than just placing a call – it’s the first step to ending the devastating cycle of violence.”

The campaign will target women and children throughout the Milwaukee area. Copy directs people to the 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline as a gateway for all of SFPC’s services, which include education, advocacy, shelter and counseling for all those impacted by domestic violence. For more information, visit: http://www.familypeacecenter.org