Million Voices Campaign
October 16, 2009 by Lillie
Table of contents for Domestic Violence Awareness
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had no idea when I started writing that domestic violence would play any part in Dream or Destiny. When David (the hero of the story) started telling me about the abuse he and his sister suffered, I pointed out the story wasn’t about domestic violence. (Yes, I argue with my characters when they talk back to me.) However, I decided to do a little research so I could put in just enough information to shut David up. I had some knowledge of abuse from reading the lessons my husband had to study to keep his law enforcement certification active.
However, in my research, I came across first-person accounts from victims of domestic violence, and I realized my character was leading me in the right direction. The abuse David and Barbara experienced had to become a major part of the story. Perhaps through my story, readers will gain a better understanding of domestic violence. In a small way, I could become a voice for domestic violence victims.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) is seeking many more voices.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline and campaign founding partner General Federation of Women’s Clubs, along with many individuals and organizations, are dedicated to signing up one million people who are willing to educate, inform, and raise awareness about the problem of domestic violence and the programs that can help.
I have joined the Million Voices Campaign to help raise awareness of domestic violence. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I encourage you to learn more about domestic violence, and if you’re as distressed as I am about the problem, join the Million Voices Campaign.
I don’t have any personal or professional experience with domestic violence. However, Bluestocking, who has been a domestic violence victims’ advocate, said this in her review of Dream or Destiny:
I think the author did an excellent job with developing his psychology throughout the book. I have extensive personal experience with Domestic Violence, and I can tell you none of David’s story is farfetched.
If you enjoy romance and mystery, you can learn more about domestic violence as you read Dream or Destiny for enjoyment. I will donate $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for every copy of the novel that is sold during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
To thank you for your purchase and the opportunity for me to make a donation, I will send you an e-book of the contemporary romance, Fern’s Fancies.
If you purchase an autographed copy of Dream or Destiny directly from me, I will automatically e-mail your e-book and make the donation. If you order from GASLight Publishing, LLC or Amazon.com
[...] Author Lillie Ammann didn’t start out to write about domestic violence, but the hero of Dream or Destiny insisted she write about the abuse he and his sister suffered. Lillie described how domestic violence ended up as an integral part of the story in Million Voices Campaign. [...]
Lillie,
Good on you for taking a stand – domestic violence is an extremely important issue for which there should be an absolute and complete zero tolerance policy.
It is important that we all stand up and promote the message that no act of violence in the home is acceptable in any way, shape or form whatsover.
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..Google books – let a wonderful innovation go full steam ahead =-.
Andrew,
Bringing this out in the open is the best way to combat it. In times past, a man’s home was considered his castle, and he could do what he wanted without anyone knowing or caring.
Lillie, you always stand up for noble cause and this time also you have proved your care and feelings for this society. I wish I could also do something meaningful which can contribute to the awareness about domestic violence and safeguard potential victims.
.-= Girish@Car Rental Auckland´s last blog ..Rugby World Cup Car Rentals =-.
Girish,
For some reason, this comment was in spam. I’m not sure why—sometimes I don’t understand Akismet, but I’m glad that it is generally quite accurate in marking spam.
You can help promote awareness within your own circle of influence. And you being knowledgeable of the signs of abuse may make a big difference in someone’s life.
As I related in an earlier post on this topic, many years ago, a young child in my Sunday School class reacted in a way that now I know indicated that he was being abused. But I didn’t know anything about child abuse and domestic violence at the time. Though I thought the boy’s behavior was strange, it never occurred to me that he could be the victim of abuse in the home of a church-going family. If I saw something like that now, I would recognize the warning signs and report the situation.
If you are aware of the warning signs, you may be able to help someone instead of not even thinking there could be anything wrong as I did so many years ago.
We don’t have to do great things to make a difference. And sometimes we don’t even know when we have made a difference. Read my post at You May Never Know the Impact You have for an example.
I’m glad to see they are trying to raise public awareness on domestic violence. The next step is to make the courts take it more seriously. We need to break the cycle or the problem will never get better.
.-= Charles@Homes in Las Vegas´s last blog ..Time Running Out for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit =-.
Charles,
Awareness is so important. Sometimes it seems that’s minor. What difference does it make if people know about the problem? But as mentioned in an earlier comment, if I had been aware many years ago, I could have helped a young boy that in retrospect I strongly suspect was being abused. But I didn’t know enough then to have any suspicions.
Lillie,
Nice going – way to use the web for something positive. Do you use Social Media to promote this too? Good luck to you.
Thanks in advance for being a voice for this important issue.
Lisa,
I’m a social media failure.
I am on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media sites, but I must confess I’m not very active. I plan to get on Twitter, but I haven’t taken that step yet. Therefore, I don’t do much to promote on social media. I have mentioned it on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc, but I really need someone who is active in social media to help spread the word.
If most women would choose to keep quiet more victim of domestic violence will be encountered. We must really join forces to eradicate as much Domestic Violence.
.-= Jeremy Craven@Homes in Brooklyn, New York´s last blog ..Global financing company drops 4BD in Homecrest =-.
Jeremy,
For your reason, your comments end up in spam.
I think you may have left out a word or something in your first sentence. I’m not quite sure what you’re saying, but I’m guessing you mean that women shouldn’t stay silent. Is that right?
Kudos to you, Lillie, for doing this. Domestic violence is a cause that needs vocal advocates.
Helen
Straight From Hel
.-= Helen Ginger@writer editor´s last blog ..Browsing Online =-.
Helen,
It certainly is an important cause that needs all of our help.
I’m always amazed (and a little envious) when writers talk about their characters taking a plot into unexpected territory. My fiction writing hasn’t reached that point yet. I find that I’m the one leading the characters, never the other way around.
Anyway, well played not only for follow your characters but following them into such a difficult subject matter.
.-= Spot@cool home decor´s last blog ..Have Wood Burning Spa Will Travel =-.
Spot,
The first time I heard an author talking about their characters leading them, I thought they were nuts.
I had done quite a bit of writing before that happened to me.
The more that can be done during October to raise the profile of domestic violence the better – and i applaud you – however the real battle is to keep DV in the public conscienceness through November and beyond!
Alex,
You are so right. This month is just a time to focus on something that should be ongoing throughout the year.
I will surely find this book. I admire your guts since there are many people who just keep mum on domestic violence issue. I am so excited to find this on book stands.
Jennifer L,
You don’t have to look on book stands. You can order the book directly from me, from the publisher, or from Amazon.com. Click on Dream or Destiny in the drop-down menu under Books or follow the links in the post or click on the Amazon widget in the sidebar. If you look around the blog for about 10 seconds, you’ll find it.
this is very good approach to eradicate violence and disrespect to feminine, we all should join it and spread it more and more, we can too spread such things via social marketing
Frank,
I hope you will help spread the word through social media. I’m not very good at that.
Domestic Violence is not directed just at women and I think a lot of people forget this
.-= tgrimsley´s last blog ..Looking For A Dog Business For Sale =-.
lgrimsley,
No, domestic violence is not directly only at women, but women make up a large percentage of the victims. It is probably much harder for a man to admit to being in an abusive relationship because in our society men are expected to be strong and dominant.
What a beautiful segue you made to present information about domestic violence to your readers!
I certainly could wish that domestic violence wasn’t true, but seeing what some children and spouses suffer, it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
.-= Matt Keegan´s last blog ..New Ram Trucks All Chrysler Has To Offer =-.
Thank you, Matt. Yes, it’s sad that we have to address this issue, but it is a serious problem.
It’s not about having personal or professional experience with domestic violence. It’s about taking steps into right direction. I’m sure a lot of people will join Million Voices Campaign.
8mm Projector
.-= ally@8mm projector´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
ally,
You’re right. We don’t need any experience to help solve the problem.
I can only think 1 thing, is violence can be stopped only when each one feels from inside that what its doing is a violence.
Amanda,
Ideally, abusers would come to understand what they are doing is wrong. However, I suspect many of them know it’s wrong—they just do it anyway. Like any crime, when you can, change the person’s heart. When you can’t, protect others from the evil. Bank robbers, rapists, murderers, thieves … all know what they are doing is wrong, but they choose to do it anyway. They have to be locked up to keep other people safe from them. Alcoholics and drug addicts usually know what they are doing is wrong, but the compulsion is stronger than their will. They either have to get treatment or be locked up to protect other people.
As a Christian, I believe redemption is possible for anyone. However, we all have free will, and if sinners (all of us) don’t repent and accept redemption, God doesn’t force it on us. Our priest says repentance means admit it, quit it, and forget it. If someone chooses to continue in their bad behavior (whether it’s domestic violence or something else), other people need to be protected from them.