Mission
One in three women is a victim of violence, and it is estimated some 10 million children witness violence in their families each year. Speak Out was launched in 2004 to help end the cycle of domestic violence through support of awareness, education, prevention and direct service programs, with a special focus on assisting
children affected by domestic violence to break the cycle of violence for future generations.

Grants
Through 2008 over $10 million has been awarded to 350 domestic violence
organizations in the U.S. alone. Of this, over $3.9 million was awarded to more than 120 organizations that help children of domestic violence.

Awareness and Education
The Avon Foundation has funded an educational DVD available free of charge that helps viewers recognize signs of abuse and respond appropriately with critical
referral information. PSAs and millions of free Domestic Violence Resource Guides are also distributed to raise lifesaving awareness.

Women’s Empowerment Campaign
In 2008, Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation introduced the company’s first-ever global fundraising product, the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, designed to save and improve women’s lives worldwide. The bracelet was unveiled by Avon’s Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon at Avon’s 2008 Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow held at the United Nations in partnership with UNIFEM.

The Women’s Empowerment initiative was created to raise awareness about the need to speak out against the violence that affects women around the globe. In support of this mission, proceeds from the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet launched the Avon Empowerment Fund, which contributed $1 million to the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and funded local UNIFEM projects in 13 countries. In addition, more than 30 Avon countries around the world launched partnerships with local domestic violence agencies during 2008, and Avon global grantmaking for the cause exceeded $7.4 million.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Avon will launch its second global fundraising product, the Women’s Empowerment Necklace at the Global Forum for Women and Justice in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2009. The Forum for women judges and domestic violence leaders from around the world will open with a reception hosted by former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor at the US Supreme Court on March 2nd.

Speak Out and help end the cycle of domestic violence.

Please visit the Avon Foundation Newsroom for updates on our latest activities.

Click here for information on the new Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence Program

Click here for current Avon Foundation domestic violence grants.

Click on the links above to get more information about this program.