3 out of 4 victims of domestic violence seek help from family or friends before contacting a hotline. But how many Virginians know how to help a friend who is being abused? Break the Silence is a public awareness campaign launched in 2004 to educate family and friends about recognizing domestic violence and supporting victims. One portion of the Break the Silence campaign focuses a more targeted effort to raise awareness in African-American communities and communities of faith.

Break the Silence public service announcements have been broadcast on television and on the radio. Break the Silence response kits, tailored for use in African-American churches and community organizations, include a videotape, workshop outline, promotional items, and handouts. The kits are distributed to identified contacts in local communities and delivered through traveling outreach visits.

To request more information about Break the Silence, or to schedule a Break the Silence speaker to come to your house of worship, contact Cathy Maxfield at 804-377-0335 or breakthesilence@vsdvalliance.org. E-mail is not a secure form of communication. To ensure confidentiality please call the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.838.8238 (V/TTY).