Charlize Theron issued a “rallying cry” to help women affected by domestic violence amid coronavirus
Actor and activist Charlize Theron just announced that her foundation is launching Together For Her, a new campaign supporting women experiencing domestic abuse during the coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine. The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) will donate $500,000 specifically for the new initiative.
“During this unprecedented global crisis, we are being told to shelter in the safety of our homes—but what if our homes aren’t safe? For the millions of women and children around the world sheltering with their abuser, home can be dangerous,” Theron wrote in her social media announcement.
CTAOP will be donating $1 million to coronavirus relief efforts, with the aforementioned $500,000 specifically toward Together For Her. According to The New York Times, campaign donations will provide funds and resources for “support and counseling, helplines, crisis intervention, health services, legal services, and other forms of support for women and children experiencing domestic violence” in the U.S. and abroad.
Theron’s organization is partnering with CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to garner additional funds as well—but there’s only so much these organizations can do on their own.
In the statement, Theron “calls upon other influential women and organizations to join this critical cause to provide safe spaces and lifesaving programs for women in need.”
Recently, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres reported a “horrifying surge in domestic violence” as women and children are “trapped with their abusive partners” during lockdown. And for families with a history of domestic abuse, the pressures of isolation, economic uncertainty, and fear can be a “ticking time bomb,” Steve Mueller, sheriff of Cherokee County, South Carolina, told NBC News. The news outlet reported that Cherokee County saw a 35% increase in domestic abuse cases in March. The upward trend is fairly consistent across state and country lines. In China, for instance, NPR reports that the number of calls to domestic violence helplines has tripled.
That’s why Together For Her issued a “rallying cry”—not only to other powerful women but to everyone with the means to donate money or raise awareness.
“Our rallying cry is this: Please join us in showing women experiencing domestic violence that they are not alone,” Theron wrote. “We are behind them, with them, for them, #TogetherForHer.”
As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, HelloGiggles is committed to providing accurate and helpful coverage to our readers. As such, some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, we encourage you to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments, and visit our coronavirus hub.
