FUTURES Launches Campaign to Prevent Violence Among American Indian/Alaska Native Communities

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Campaign to Prevent Children’s Exposure to Violence Among American Indian/Alaska Native Communities Launches at Indian Nations Conference

SAN FRANCISCO (December 15, 2014) Today, an American Indian/Alaska Native public education campaign designed to prevent children’s exposure to violence officially launched at the Indian Nations Conference in Palm Springs, CA.

The campaign, called “Strengthen Families, Prevent Violence” aims to:

• Create awareness on the issue of children’s exposure to violence—and provide parents, grandparents and caregivers with tools to promote healthy parenting, and build strong families.
• Promote the local adaptation of the campaign so that any tribe can change photos and motifs to reflect their unique culture and language.
• Offer three posters and three billboards to effectively engage all community members in a positive way.

“We’re particularly pleased to introduce this campaign at the 2014 Indian Nations Conference, where so many people will be exposed to the information,” said Lonna Davis, Director of Children and Youth Program for Futures Without Violence.  “We hope these materials will remind many communities of the critical role that parents and caregivers play in the life of a young child.”

Recognizing the great culture and linguistic diversity among American Indians, the campaign can be customized or adapted by Nakota Designs to reflect specific communities or regions.

“Strengthen Families, Prevent Violence” shares examples of how adults can help children grow and thrive, and is developed as part of the Justice Department’s Defending Childhood Initiative—which funds six U.S. cities and two tribes to develop and implement strategic plans for community-based projects addressing children’s exposure to violence. Futures Without Violence, the lead technical assistance provider for the Defending Childhood Initiative worked with Native Streams Institute, the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation (Chippewa Cree tribe), and the Rosebud Sioux tribe on the development of the campaign.

To learn more about “Strengthen Families, Prevent Violence” visit: www.defendingchildhood.org or email childrenstream@futureswithoutviolence.org.

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Futures Without Violence
Futures Without Violence is a national nonprofit organization leading groundbreaking educational programs, policies, and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. Providing leadership from offices in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the Futures Without Violence has trained thousands of professionals and advocates–such as doctors, nurses, judges, athletic coaches, and other community influences–on improving responses to violence and abuse. The organization was a driving force behind the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994—the nation’s first comprehensive federal response to the violence that plagues families and communities.