FUTURES Launches 2015 RESPECT! Challenge to Combat Online Bullying
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Brisbo, Futures Without Violence
Lbrisbo@futureswithoutviolence.org
415.678.5619
FUTURES Launches 2015 RESPECT! Challenge to Combat Online Bullying
Contest challenges Americans to spread acts of positivity and respect online, using GIFs, pictures, memes, and videos
SAN FRANCISCO (October 13, 2015)—The fourth annual RESPECT! Challenge launched today to help promote respectful behavior online, and draw attention to positive solutions that everyone can play in preventing online harassment and bullying. Participants can help counter negative and disrespectful online behavior by either submitting a GIF or meme that promotes respect, or by submitting an “act or respect”—a video or photo that captures them honoring someone in their community who deserves respect. The RESPECT! Challenge takes an innovative approach to combating online bullying and harassment by leveraging humor to engage participants—particularly millennials.
“Unfortunately, there is a disturbing amount of negative and disrespectful behavior online, which can escalate into violence and abuse.” Said Futures Without Violence Founder and President Esta Soler. “The RESPECT! Challenge leverages the power of the internet to drown out this negativity and promote empathy, kindness, and respect in online spaces and beyond.”
During the six week contest that will run from October 13 to November 20, people can participate in the RESPECT! Challenge by:
- Creating a GIF or meme that promotes positive, respectful behavior online and tagging it with #gifREPECT on Twitter, Instagram, or Vine. Six weekly winners will receive a $100 Macy’s gift card, and will have their winning GIF featured on Riffsy’s popular GIF Keyboard library!
- Submitting a video or photo that illustrates an ‘Act of Respect’ performed for someone who deserves to be rewarded with a public acknowledgement. One grand prize winner will earn a $5,000 donation to a school or nonprofit, a $5,000 scholarship, and a trip to New York City for Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show.
Since 2008, the RESPECT! Campaign has encouraged and promoted respect and healthy relationships among students, teachers and schools across America. Macy’s, the national founding partner, has a strong history of support for violence prevention and awareness programs.
The 2015 RESPECT! Challenge marks the third year of partnership with social media experts at AKQA, one of the world’s top digital agencies. Each year, the San Francisco-based team has participated pro bono, soliciting as much as $1 million in donated online advertising for the cause-based contest.
Futures Without Violence
For more than 30 years, Futures Without Violence has led the way and set the pace for innovative educational programs, public action campaigns, policy development and leadership training designed to end violence against women, children and families around the world. Instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1994, Futures Without Violence has established an International Conference Center that will engage today’s diverse national and global leaders, stand with survivors, and continue working to break the silence around gender-based violence.
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