Starting Point announces kickoff of Sexual Assault Awareness Month [04/04/2009]

Starting Point (www.startingpointnh.org) has announced the official kick off of sexual assault awareness month. This years theme is Challenging Attitudes, Changing Behaviors Men and Women working together to end sexual and domestic violence. This years theme is closely tied into the work of the local White Ribbon Committee. This group of men has made a strong commitment to Starting Points vision of living and working in a community that does not tolerate the perpetration of domestic violence, sexual violence and/or stalking and the belief systems which allow these abuses to thrive. Most men love and care about women. Yet a frightening number commit acts of violence against the women they say they love. While not all men use violence, we believe all men have a role and responsibility in ending it, says White Ribbon Campaign Committee Chair Ed Minyard. The campaign, which will continue for the entire month of April, will begin with a White Ribbon Campaign informational session to be held at 6 p.m., April 6th, in the Legends Room at the Eastern Slope Inn. The committees goal is to identify 100 men in our community who are willing to join the campaign and make a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about domestic and sexual violence. There will be several other awareness events throughout the month of April, including an exhibit featuring artwork from the students at Fryeburg Academy and Kennett High School, a fund-raiser at Flatbreads on April 22 and an open mic/performance night later in the month.Additionally, SongRamp (www.songramp.com) has launched a songwriting competition in support of the White Ribbon Campaign. SongRamp is an internationally recognized, web-based community of songwriters, artists and fans, with over 22,000 members. The winning songs, all original, will be included on a CD and sold both on-line and in selected retail outlets. Proceeds of the sales will go to Staring Point.For details on future events check out Starting Points Web site at www.startingpointnh.org or www.whiteribboncampaign-nh.org or call 356-7993/539-5506.

Starting Point: Services for Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to removing the root causes of family and sexual violence from our community. The services include a 24-hour volunteer crisis line, emergency shelter and transportation, court and hospital advocacy, peer support groups, and resources and referrals. Starting Point has been providing services in Carroll County since 1981.