Baltimore, MD (August 28, 2014) – House of Ruth Maryland, one of the nation's leading intimate partner violence centers, today announced a three-year community partnership with the Baltimore Ravens as well as the launch of its "Man Up!" campaign to help raise awareness.
1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence at some point in her lifetime. The goal of the joint partnership is to raise awareness by first educating players and front office staff to be able to recognize the signs of abuse, understand how to respond and know where to go for support. The Baltimore Ravens will lead the effort throughout Maryland and encourage all citizens, businesses and organizations to join in the initiative.
Over the next three years, the Baltimore Ravens will donate $600,000 to the House of Ruth Maryland towards this effort. In addition, the team will participate in a variety of House of Ruth Maryland educational programs including workshops focusing on intimate partner violence in the workplace, and abuse intervention programs which aim to increase the safety of victims of intimate partner violence by holding batterers accountable and teaching non-violent relationship skills. Players and staff will also participate in numerous House of Ruth Maryland "Man Up!" events throughout the campaign.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Baltimore Ravens on such an important initiative," said House of Ruth Maryland's Executive Director Sandi Timmins. "The reaction in our society has always been 'Why doesn't she just leave?' The Baltimore Ravens have pledged to assist us in shifting the paradigm to change that question to: 'Why does HE think it is ok to abuse her?' It's time for men to speak up, to take responsibility for their behavior, and to hold each other to having partner relationships that are healthy. It's time to 'Man Up!'"
"The Ravens recognize the outstanding service the House of Ruth Maryland provides to our community and we want to help increase its influence," said Baltimore Ravens President Dick Cass. "We also look forward to the education the House of Ruth Maryland will provide to members of our organization."
About House of Ruth Maryland
The House of Ruth Maryland was founded in May of 1977 by a coalition of women's organizations, religious groups, service providers and elected officials to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their children. In November of 1977 The House of Ruth Maryland opened Baltimore's first crisis shelter for these victims in a row house on North Calvert Street. The shelter was staffed by one paid staff person and a voluntary Board of Directors.
In November 1998 a new 84-bed shelter and 6 transitional housing apartments, featuring expanded services and programs, opened. This shelter has a holistic health and wellness program, including an on-site health clinic staffed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
Today the House of Ruth Maryland is recognized as one of the nation's most comprehensive intimate partner violence centers and has a staff of more than one hundred twenty. Its voluntary leadership consists of a thirty member Board of Directors.
The House of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end violence against women and their children by confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear. For more information, please visit www.hruth.org . Follow House of Ruth Maryland on Facebook and Twitter @HouseofRuthMD.
