Ashley Judd

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACTRESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ASHLEY JUDD ENDORSES
"THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGISTRY"

Gary, IN (July 28, 2011) -- The National Domestic Violence Registry (NDVR), a non-profit organization that maintains an online database with conviction records of domestic violence offenders, announced today the endorsement of actress and human rights activist, Ashley Judd.

Founded in 2007, The National Domestic Violence Registry is the first online database model program of convicted domestic violence abusers that was made available to the public. It was patterned after The National Sex Offenders Registry and contains conviction records of offenders who have been found guilty of domestic abuse, stalking, criminal confinement, intimidation, strangulation, and domestic battery. Use of the online database is free.

"Americans need The National Domestic Violence Registry to significantly expand the existing Internet resources," said Judd. "By providing a tool that will allow the general public to see if they’re dating someone who had a history of predatory, abusive and/or harrassive behaviors, individuals will be able to make more informed and smart decisions about with whom they are entering into a relationship."

With Judd's support, NDVR will continue their global effort to bring awareness and aid to the prevention of domestic and family violence.

"We are extremely honored to receive support from Ashley Judd," said Myra Spearman, Founder and Executive Director of NDVR. "We know that her endorsement will lead to more awareness and will help us combat further domestic violence-related crimes."

Spearman launched the online database in 2007 after she had endured 18 years of abuse with four additional years being relentlessly stalked by her ex-husband. Her experience drove her to want to help others break the chain of abuse and reduce the number of incidents.

NDVR Deputy Director Lyn Twyman said, "Ashley Judd has been such an inspiration to me with her incredible determination and strength as a worldwide leader for human rights. We are thrilled to receive an endorsement from her."

For further information about NDVR, please visit: www.domesticviolencedatabase.org.

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ENDORSEMENT

Dear Ms. Spearman and Ms. Twyman:

I would like to take the opportunity to give you my support of the National Domestic Violence Registry. As an activist for ending violence against women and children, I believe your program is a needed and viable tool in the prevention and awareness of domestic violence.

The National Domestic Violence Registry will be beneficial to anyone who participates in online social networking and online dating sites.  Because the internet is so widely used in society today, people need to be able to take the proactive stance of knowing who they dating before entering into a relationship with them.

Intimate partner violence is an epidemic in this Country. One out of every four women and one out of every twelve men will be aggressed upon.  By providing a tool that will allow the general public to see if they’re dating someone who had a history of predatory, abusive and/or harrassive behaviors, individuals will be able to make more informed and smart decisions about with whom they are entering into a relationship. I love this approach!    

I am on Twitter, and many of my tweets with followers involve sharing information and resources related to helping them exit abusive relationships. I take my responsibility very seriously, referring them to web sites such as rainn.org (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), and the Lethality Assessment tool, but I literally cannot keep up with the demand.  It is nothing less than staggering, the numbers of girls and women (and some men) who report the full spectrum of abusive behaviors, from harassment to indications of imminent homicide, such as choking. Here in Prague, Czech Republic, by using the Internet to figure out where she lived, I disrupted a woman’s suicide attempt in America. She preferred to jump of a bridge onto the expressway during rush hour than be murdered by her “boyfriend.”  Also via Twitter I met an American girl who was being raped by her dad. Working together over the Internet, she reported him. He is now on the sex offender registry, she has had fistula repair surgery, and has accessed crucial social support services and a 12 Step Program for those affected by another’s drinking.

Americans need the National Domestic Violence Registry to significantly expand the existing internet resources. I hope the above examples demonstrate the urgent need. Perpetrators of violence and violent crimes must be held accountable and we need to let others know when a person has a negative history and may pose a danger to them and their family.  

Intimate partner violence has been labeled a silent and personal crime. I believe your program is going to further break the silence that has been plaguing women, children and families for far too long.  I commend you on your work and continued success in helping to save lives.

Sincerely,

 

Ashley Judd