For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Hull Police to Participate in Domestic Violence Awareness Month Toiletry Drive

Personal Care Items to Directly Benefit those Retaking their Lives after Domestic Violence

HULL — Chief John E. Dunn reports that the Hull Police Department will participate in District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz’s Domestic Violence Toiletry Drive, and the department is actively seeking new and unused personal care items that will directly benefit women and men who are rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In recognition, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office will hold a toiletry drive with all donations going to local agencies that provide services for survivors of domestic violence and their families.

Requested donation items: (New and Unused)

• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste/Mouthwash/Floss
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Combs/Brushes
• Deodorant
• Disposable Razors
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Diapers
• Soap and Lotion
• Chapstick

This is a countywide effort, and collection boxes may be found at Plymouth County DA’s Offices in Brockton, Plymouth, Hingham and Wareham as well as the following police departments: Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, East Bridgewater, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Marion, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Rochester, Rockland, Wareham and West Bridgewater, and Whitman.

According to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in the U.S., an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. One in three women and one in four men will suffer physical abuse by an intimate partner during their lives. Domestic violence affects all communities, ages, races, religions, sexual orientations, genders, nationalities, and the rich and poor alike. Click here for Massachusetts statistics compiled by Jane Doe Inc.

For more information on the toiletry drive, please contact Kristen Cipullo at 508-894-6312 or [email protected].

ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes:

• Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence
• Celebrating those who have survived
• Connecting those who work to end violence

These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Source: National Resource Center on Domestic Violence)

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