Communications Awareness Council

For nearly three decades, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) has continually provided essential resources and support to help survivors of domestic violence pursue a path to safety and live their lives free from abuse.

Marginalized communities’ voices are not heard or uplifted nearly enough on many social and public health issues including domestic violence. We are creating a communications awareness council that centers the lived experiences of these communities and elevates their voices in our communications and awareness efforts.

The Hotline believes everyone deserves a positive, healthy, and violence-free relationship. We value the voices of all people and understand that expanding outreach to marginalized communities by increasing the number of resources for marginalized communities, is crucial to assist BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and the disabilities communities.

That’s why, we are creating our first Communications Awareness Council (CAC), an impactful group of diverse members who will collaborate and shape the way we communicate with survivors, stakeholders, the media, and the public about domestic abuse and ending gender-based violence in the US.

The Communications Awareness Council aims to:

• Build on the shared experiences and viewpoints of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and survivors with disabilities, and all individuals impacted by domestic violence, and people who have helped or know someone experiencing abuse to support in the development of culturally specific communication strategies that foster an end to gender-based violence.
• To raise awareness on the issue of gender-based violence by contributing their perspective, developing educational or printed materials in partnership with The Hotline brands, and distributing information about intervention and prevention resources in their communities and networks.
• Find new ways for The Hotline brands to connect with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and survivors with disabilities and create a national community where all people have resources to seek safety, end gender-based violence and learn ways to support and maintain healthy relationships.

The selection process is entirely within the discretion of The Hotline and based on multiple factors with the goal of better understanding how The Hotline can communicate with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, survivors with disabilities, and the broader public about domestic violence and ending gender-based violence.

All Communications Awareness Council member positions are non-paid, volunteer positions. We hope you will join us by submitting your application today. We will accept applications for our first cohort until September 27, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Torrie Bethany at [email protected].