Grammy Award winner Ashanti has taken a stand against domestic violence. The hip hop and rhythm & blues star is partnering with the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) to raise awareness about domestic abuse.

Ashanti's new music video, "Rain on Me," from the album Chapter II, deals directly and powerfully with domestic violence, telling the story of a woman who faces and then overcomes a violent relationship. The new music video is playing frequently on MTV, BET and other popular stations.

The 23-year-old singer is also speaking out against domestic violence in interviews with media of all kinds, in particular urging young women to get help and get out of violent relationships. Her public service announcement on domestic violence began airing in some 4,000 movie theaters around the country in mid-October.

Mini-Movie

To expand its reach, the popular singer/songwriter has teamed with LidRock to produce a mini-movie version of the music video. It is available at lidrock.com for a $5 contribution to help stop domestic violence.

In the preview for the mini-movie, Ashanti says, "Unfortunately, domestic violence happens each and every day.... Working together, we can stop domestic violence." She directs viewers to the FVPF web site, www.endabuse.org, for further information.

"We wanted to make a short movie that was 'real' - that showed that, no matter if you're rich or poor, black or white, famous or not, domestic violence can touch your life," Ashanti said. The mini-movie is directed by Hype Williams and co-stars actor Larenz Tate.

"Ashanti wrote an amazing song that has incredible power and emotional resonance," said FVPF President Esta Soler. "The LidRock mini-movie enhances the song's power and its reach. We are so proud to partner with this talented star and with LidRock on a project that has such great potential to raise awareness and save lives."

LidRock is a division of Atlanta-based The Convex Group. More information and a preview of the mini-movie are available at www.lidrock.com.

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