Fighting Domestic Violence on Facebook®

Facebook® is practically everywhere. The statistics are amazing! According to the Facebook Press Room today, there are more than 300 million active users, with 50% logging into their accounts on any given day. The fastest growing demographic is users 35 years and older. Clearly this is not just for kids! One of the things I appreciate about Facebook is the ability to find groups of like-minded folks. There are thousands of groups, public and private, covering a variety of topics. And…if for some reason you can’t find a group that suits you, you can easily create your own and get the word out to your friends. Many organizations are finding it beneficial to start a community on Facebook as a way to expand their presence and reach. Here are just a few of the communities I found where victims, survivors, advocates and those concerned about domestic violence can join together on Facebook. Reminder: To access/join any of these groups, you must have a Facebook Profile. To log in or create a profile, please visit the Facebook website.

• Walk it out  (fundraiser for abuse victims and homelessness) This walk is from San Francisco to San Diego, California and will be performed by authors Timothy Pina and Danielle Pierre. The 530+ mile walk is to bring aid and awareness to domestic violence and homelessness.  Tim and Danielle began their walk at Candlestick Park, San Francisco on September 26, 2009 and end it at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Arrival in San Diego is anticipated on or around November 1, 2009.  You can follow their progress, donate and learn more about their project by following their blog!
• Walk a Mile in Her Shoes  Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is the International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. Men literally walk one mile in women's high heeled shoes to protest sexualized violence, to educate their communities and to raise funds for local rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters.
• STAND! Against Domestic Violence  For those impacted by domestic violence, STAND! Against Domestic Violence is the catalyst for change that breaks the generational cycle of abuse and rebuilds lives. STAND! Against Domestic Violence is committed to ending domestic violence through the provision of prevention and intervention services, primarily in Contra Costa County (CA).
• Stop Domestic Violence 
• Domestic Violence  a friendly place for both men and women to talk and offer advice to others who have been or are in the same situation. and to remind people you are not alone .. we are all in this together.
• We Won’t be Victims! WWBV  This is a group to help the defenseless become empowered to defend themselves and loved ones against physical assaults! We want to teach, and discuss with everyone about self defense particularly women, battered women , children, abused children (and also men). All stories and defense discussions welcome!
• Domestic Abuse - Stop Violence against Women 
• Stop Domestic Violence and Child Abuse – Almost 53,000 members belong to this group.  Join this group if you support laws that would: Help to keep sex offenders off the streets; offer healthy solutions for children removed from dangerous households; and fund organizations that protect men and women in any situation from abusive partners in a more effective manner.
• Stop Domestic Violence in memory of Chris Turner is a very personal, grass roots style group started by a friend of Chris Turner, whose life was ended by domestic violence.

Events
Stop Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Rally   October 5 -7, 2009 Women from across the United States are invited to become part of a force for change in Washington DC this fall by participating in a Domestic Violence Awareness March.
Groups