Violence UnSilenced is a website committed to giving survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and sexual assault a voice. It was founded by Maggie Ginsberg-Schutz in 2009, and began non-profit status incorporation in October 2011. Violence UnSilenced is a grassroots movement born of the people, for the people.
Maggie Ginsberg-Schutz is a city magazine journalist who began writing about domestic violence and sexual abuse issues in 2008. She was so moved by the empowerment she witnessed when survivors spoke out, and all the unexpected gifts that followed. To pay it forward she founded Violence UnSilenced with the intention of eradicating the silence surrounding domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape by giving survivors a public voice.
Survivors submit their personal stories of abuse in their own words, and two are posted live on the site each week. Readers take an annual pledge to listen, and the intention for the comment section is a space, supportive safe.
"I believe people are inherently empathetic, but we seem to care more about general issues when we personally know those affected by them," says Ginsberg-Schutz. "I believe when we read the hard experiences of our loved ones on Violence UnSilenced we take more ownership in the epidemic of abuse that belongs to all of us. I also believe that perpetrators rely on silence and shame as weapons, and that for survivors, speaking out is both cathartic and empowering."
Specialties
domestic violence survivors, sexual abuse and assault survivors, victim empowerment, advocacy
Violence UnSilenced Company Blog
- Feb 24, 2012
- Feb 22, 2012
- Feb 18, 2012
- Feb 16, 2012
- Feb 1, 2012
Violence UnSilenced Activity on LinkedIn
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Violence UnSilenced Can't believe it's been three years! Please visit today and congratulate the survivors!
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Violence UnSilenced CALLING ALL VIOLENCE UNSILENCED SURVIVOR ALUM! Have you posted your story on Violence UnSilenced in the past three years since our site launched? This February 17 will be our third anniversary, and we are currently putting together the brand new video to celebrate. If you are a survivor who has posted on VU, we'd love your participation. If you are one of these VU alum and you'd like to join in, please check your email or let us know if you didn't receive instructions. We must receive all photographs by February 15. Thank you all, and spread the word!
