End Abuse Campaigns

Did You Know?

More than one in six African-American women (16 percent) has been physically abused by a husband or partner in the last five years, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey published in 1996.

Black women were the victims in more than half (53 percent) of the violent deaths occuring in the homes of female victims, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1997.

A New York City study of female homicides between 1990-1994 found that 52 percent of the victims were African-American in a city that is only 25 percent black.

In Philadelphia, 60 percent of the violence-related injuries for which African-American women sought emergency room care were inflicted by their husbands and boyfriends.

It's Your Business

It's Your Business is a twelve-part radio micro-drama centered around a fictional but realistic domestic violence trial, as reported and discussed on a radio call-in show. Ma B, the show's celebrated host, enjoys a large listenership in local African-American radio. With pointed commentary and dare-to-air antics, Ma B makes no topic taboo and speaks out on the sensitive issue of domestic violence against African-American women. Family violence prevention is a topic of personal importance to Ma B. She is a domestic violence survivor who escaped because a friend continued to talk to, support and encourage her.

The World of the Radio Drama

Loyal listeners hear and discuss Ma B's show each week in different locations - the barbershop, a boutique, a car, an apartment, and the emergency room. The show is always heard through the filter of the individual radio receivers of Ma B's fictional listeners. Over the course of the series, real world listeners come to know the relatives and friends of fictional radio listener Charlise, who is being beaten by her husband James. Charlise's family members regularly listen to Ma B's show and decide they can no longer turn the other cheek to James' violence, after hearing Ma B speak out about the problem. They learn - along with Ma B's other listeners - how to reach out and support victims of domestic violence, as well as how to let abusers know that the community will no longer tolerate abuse.

Callers to 1-800-END-ABUSE will receive a community action kit designed to help African-Americans prevent domestic violence in their communities. Or order the kit online.

Public Service Announcements

Ma B, a local radio talk show host, seizes the opportunity to discuss domestic violence issues through the trial of Damon DeCur, using the events in the news as catalysts for discussion on her program. Damon DeCur is a high-profile local businessman who is accused of assaulting his girlfriend, Denise Champion. Together, DeCur and Champion appeared publicly to have been the perfect couple. They were considered successful, prosperous, glamorous, attractive, well-educated and sophisticated. Few would have associated them with any stereotypical profile of couples dealing with domestic violence.

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