Verizon Foundation

Violence Prevention 3.0
National Domestic Violence Summit: 2008

WATCH THE SUMMIT

True or False?

1. Technology is an effective tool for preventing dating violence and domestic violence.
2. Technology can be the stimulus that causes dating violence and domestic violence.

Both of these statements are true. Participants at the third annual National Domestic Violence Summit, held in San Francisco on Sept. 25 and 26, discussed how to leverage the first and limit the second. The Verizon Foundation partnered with the National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline and National Network to End Domestic Violence to sponsor the event.

Part I of the summit provided successful intervention strategies and technology solutions for domestic violence program providers, nonprofits, educators and law enforcement officials. This information will help them teach young people and adults to use safe technology practices to prevent violence and access support and resources. Part II of the summit featured an interactive discussion with domestic violence prevention and technology program leaders and teen participants.

"Our objective was to provide attendees with actionable information to improve Internet and technology safety for their clients, themselves and their loved ones. We also wanted to make them aware of the response services available to prevent and stop techno-stalking and abuse, ” said Lupita Reyes, Verizon Foundation national program director - domestic violence and healthcare.

During the summit, Verizon Services Corporation President Dan Mead and Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston spoke about our commitment to support programs that prevent domestic violence and provide relief to victims. Actor and Verizon domestic violence prevention champion Victor Rivers presented the keynote speech.

Teen Awareness
In its December 2007 report, "Teens and Social Media," the Pew Internet & American Life Project reported that:

• 93 percent of teens use the Internet, many for social interaction and their use is intensifying.
• 55 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds have created a profile on a social networking site and half use the sites to make new friends.
• Nearly half of online teens have posted photos where others can see them.
• 89 percent of those teens say people comment on the images.

"Safe use of technology has become a major issue in the domestic violence arena,” said Reyes. "Our business is centered on technology, so we believe it is our responsibility to take a proactive stance and help people understand how to use the Internet safely and prevent date violence and domestic violence.”