Join Us for a #YourVoiceCounts Twitter Chat

Our guest blogger is Susan Sullivan, director of strategic planning and partnerships for the Verizon Foundation.

The Verizon Foundation recently launched a new campaign called Your Voice Counts to help break the silence around the issue of domestic violence by equipping bystanders—especially men—with tools to begin speaking up.

In an effort to keep the conversation going and to highlight the great work and resources organizations working to end domestic violence, we’d like to invite you and your network to join the “Your Voice Counts Live Twitter Chat” on Thursday, November 15, from 3:00 – 3:30 pm ET.

Hosted by the Verizon Foundation (@VerizonGiving), and Your Voice Counts partners the Joyful Heart Foundation (@TheJHF), Joyful Heart’s Founder and President, actress Mariska Hargitay (@Mariska), A CALL TO MEN (@LiveRespect), CBS Sportscaster James Brown (@JBSportscaster) and NO MORE (@NOMOREorg), this chat will give participants an opportunity to discuss how and when they can use their voices to end domestic violence, ask questions about prevention and get information.

Joining is simple! Just log on to Twitter (www.twitter.com) on November 15 at 3:00 pm ET. Search for the hashtag #YourVoiceCounts to follow the conversation and add the hashtag to your own tweets to join in.

Don’t miss out on the chance to get involved! @VerizonGiving and our partners will re-tweet your answers and comments. For more information on speaking up against domestic violence, please visit the Verizon Foundation website (http://www.verizonfoundation.org/yourvoicecounts ).

Also, please follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving) for more updates.

This Twitter chat is designed as an open forum for participants to come together, ask questions and share information about how to speak up against domestic violence. However, for your own safety, we ask that you not disclose any personal or identifying information during our Twitter chat. To read more about protecting your personal information and safety on Twitter, we invite you to visit: support.twitter.com/articles/18368-safety-private-information#.

If you suspect domestic violence (or any other crime) is happening, don't think of it as a "private matter" or simply "none of your business.” Use your voice to connect someone to life-saving resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233). Verizon Wireless customers can simply dial #HOPE to be connected to the Hotline. If you’re in immediate danger or you believe someone else is, please call 911.