Mary Kay Joins Break the Cycle to End Teen Dating Violence in Schools
Ending Violence DVD curriculum to commemorate Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Dallas, Feb. 15, 2010 – As educators across the United States experience the squeeze of budget cuts and lost programs, Mary Kay Inc. and non-profit partner Break the Cycle, are launching a groundbreaking interactive DVD, Ending Violence, sponsored by Mary Kay Inc. The DVD puts Break the Cycle’s teen dating violence prevention curriculum into a multi-media format for ease of use and integration into the school system. The DVD educates teens and young adults about how to build and sustain healthier and happier relationships and is now available to schools nationwide as part of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in February.
According to statistics provided by Break the Cycle, as many as one in three teens will experience abuse in a dating relationship; and, one in four eighth and ninth grade students reported being victims of dating violence in a recent report by the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
“We are definitely seeing a need for healthy dating and relationship guidance for our students and we’re excited to implement this program,” said Cristina De Jesus, Chief Academic Officer for Green Dot Public Schools. “Healthy dating and relationship advice can come from a variety of outlets – home, friends, mass media, schools – and we are hopeful that the Ending Violence DVD can help our students gain the foundation they need to conduct their relationships the right way.”
May Kay has a long-standing commitment to helping end domestic violence. The launch of the Ending Violence DVD is part of Mary Kay’s partnership with Break the Cycle to lobby state lawmakers to pass laws about teaching healthy relationships and dating violence in middle and high schools. Currently, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Nebraska, Ohio and Rhode Island are the only states that require domestic violence education programs in schools. Everyone can do their part and demonstrate support for legislation supporting a teen dating violence prevention curriculum in middle and high schools by signing a petition at www.enddatingviolence.com.
“Mary Kay’s partnership with Break the Cycle and the launch of the Ending Violence DVD will have a tremendous impact in preventing teen dating violence and stopping the horrific cycle of domestic violence before it starts,” said Crayton Webb, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Mary Kay Inc.
“We have already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from teachers throughout the country. The Ending Violence DVD is a one-of-a-kind tool that truly makes dating violence prevention possible for every community,” said Marjorie Gilberg, Executive Director, Break the Cycle. “It is with sincere thanks to Mary Kay, that we are able to bring this vital resource to schools nationwide.”
Mary Kay Inc. is donating 100 copies of the groundbreaking Ending Violence DVD to bring the teen dating violence curriculum to middle and high schools across the United States. Educators, parents and students can learn more about the curriculum and its availability by visiting the resources section on the Break the Cycle website at www.breakthecycle.org.
Beauty that Counts™
The partnership with Break the Cycle was a result of Mary Kay’s first-ever global cause-related marketing campaign – Beauty that Counts™. Mary Kay is donating just under $3 million from the 2008 and 2009 worldwide sale of Beauty that Counts™ Mary Kay® Creme Lipsticks to causes that change the lives of women and children around the world, including domestic violence prevention and education efforts.
About Break the Cycle
Break the Cycle believes everyone has the right to safe and healthy relationships. As the leading voice for teens on the issue of dating violence, Break the Cycle advocates for policy and legislative changes that will better protect the rights and promote the health of teens nationwide. Engaging, educating and empowering youth through prevention and intervention programs, Break the Cycle helps young people identify and build healthy relationships. For more information, please visit www.breakthecycle.org.
About Mary Kay
Mary Kay, one of the largest direct sellers of skin care and color cosmetics, realized another year of record results. In 2008 Mary Kay Inc. and its international subsidiaries achieved $2.6 billion in wholesale sales worldwide. Mary Kay® products are sold in more than 35 markets worldwide, and the global Mary Kay independent sales force exceeds 2 million. To learn more about Mary Kay, log on to www.marykay.com or call 1-800-MARY KAY (1-800-627-9529).