HoCo Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Speaks Out on Rice Video

With the video of former Ravens running back Ray Rice at the forefront of national and local news, the head of Howard County’s center for domestic violence victims called it a “shame” that people weren’t disturbed by the assault charge until they actually saw the clip released Monday.

“It is a shame that it takes a video to go viral before the public really believes the devastating effects of domestic violence,” HopeWorks Executive Director Jennifer Pollitt Hill said.

HopeWorks of Howard County provides shelter, counseling, advocacy and legal services. It also works to educate the public about domestic violence, focusing on prevention, youth education and engaging men in ending the violence.

“We need public awareness and financial support to be able to make a dent in this epidemic that affects one in four women in our community,” Hill said.

“Now is our opportunity to turn our outrage into action,” she added, “through the Purple Purse Challenge.”

The Purple Purse Challenge is a national fundraising campaign sponsored by the Allstate Foundation that aims to donate $500,000 to organizations that support survivors of domestic violence.

HopeWorks of Howard County is the only domestic violence organization in Maryland that is participating in this challenge, according to the organization. As of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, HopeWorks is ranked tenth out of more than 140 organizations participating nationwide, having raised $10,048. If HopeWorks can maintain its top 10 status by the close of the contest on Oct. 3, it will receive a $10,000 bonus donation from Allstate. Support HopeWorks in the Purple Purse Challenge here.

HopeWorks is located at 5457 Twin Knolls Road in Columbia. It operates a 24-hour helpline for sexual, dating and domestic violence at 410-997-2272 or 1-800-752-0191.

Photo Credit: HopeWorks/Vimeo. HopeWorks Executive Director Jennifer Pollitt Hill.

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