Commissioner David O'Keefe’s Post

I am wearing denim today to support victims of sexual violence. Did you know that today is Denim Day? It's a grassroots internationally recognized campaign that raises awareness and educates people about sexual violence. Wearing denim today means rejecting victim blaming and the misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. Let's support our local nonprofits that help victims of sexual assault. If you're curious about these organizations or want to know more about working for a nonprofit, feel free to reach out to me. #DenimDay #EndSexualViolence #SupportNonprofits

For over 25 years, Maine Boys to Men has been providing safe spaces for boys and men to challenge our culture’s harmful stereotypes about what it means to “be a man.” This work feels more important now than ever before. Please consider donating to Maine Boys to Men this Giving Tuesday! Your support helps us: - Empower youth to recognize and call out the cultural aspects of harmful masculinity that contribute to violence, self-harm and academic decline among boys. - Support youth-serving adults with personal and professional development that enables them to empower youth to create safer and more inclusive schools, sports teams, peer groups, and wider communities. - Teach youth skills to effectively challenge unsafe attitudes and behaviors to limit the occurrence of harassment, violence, and sexual assault. - Provide youth and youth-serving adults with specific strategies for non-violent conflict de-escalation that they can apply to any situation. Thank you for your support! <<<maineboystomen.org/donate>>>

Check out the post below for exciting updates from The B.L.U.E. House!

Let’s break the cycle

Reasons Individuals May Hesitate to Discuss Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Let’s break the silence together. Addressing sexual assault and domestic violence is crucial for creating a compassionate society that supports survivors. It’s time to understand why these topics are often shrouded in secrecy and stigma so we can build a community based on empathy and open dialogue. Keep in mind that these lists are not exhaustive but offer valuable insights into why individuals, regardless of gender, may hesitate to share their experiences openly. Join us in making a difference. Imagine the transformative power of just $1. It may seem small, but when combined with the generosity of many compassionate hearts, it becomes a force of change capable of shaping monumental differences in the lives of survivors. Your humble contribution holds the potential to bridge the gap in essential resources, ensuring that more victims not only find safety but also receive the vital support needed to embark on a journey of healing. Your donation of $1 can be the catalyst that turns cold statistics into heartwarming stories of hope and resilience. Together, let's empower survivors and pave the way for a safer, brighter future for our communities. Every dollar counts in our collective effort to build a better tomorrow. Click here to donate and be a part of this impactful movement: https://lnkd.in/ey__JSwJ #𝖡𝖾A𝖫𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 #𝖤𝗇𝖽𝖵𝗂𝗈𝗅𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾 #OneDollar #𝖲𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖫𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝖨𝗇𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 #SexualAssault #𝖣𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗂𝖼𝖵𝗂𝗈𝗅𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾 #𝖲𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝖲𝗎𝗋𝗏𝗂𝗏𝗈𝗋𝗌 #𝖶𝖾𝖠𝗋𝖾𝖲𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖠𝖫𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 #𝖯𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾𝖫𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗇𝟤𝖴𝗌 #𝖬𝖾𝗇𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖸𝗈𝗎𝖳𝖺𝗄𝖾𝖠𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖽

Hate is Real, But So is Hope—Join Us in the Fight This is the reality our community faces: Today on our Facebook page, people commented: 💔 “DECAPITATION THEN DEPORTATION.” 💔 “A family deported together, stays together.” Another asked: 💔 “When does hunting season start? Asking for a friend. Someone told me it starts Jan 20.” We received more than 85 messages of hate—for who we are, for what we represent, for our mission, our language, our culture, and the families we serve. These comments aren’t just words; they reflect the fear, trauma, and hate that too many in our community live with every single day. As an organization that serves Latinos across Virginia, we see the toll this takes on mental health. We hear it in the calls to our hotline: Parents having nightmares about being separated from their children. Families struggling with overwhelming anxiety about their safety. Individuals feeling lost and unsure where to turn for help. We refuse to let hate win. Today is Giving Tuesday, and we are asking for your help to fight back—with love, support, and safety. Your donation will allow us to: ✅ Expand mental health services for those in crisis. ✅ Continue being a trusted space for people seeking hope and safety. ✅ Show our community that there is still hope, even in the face of hate. 💛 Donate now to stand with us. Let’s replace fear with hope. Together, we can make a difference. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWTFQqqd Hate may be real, but so is the power of people coming together to make the world better.

What is polished man? A Painted Promise to End Violence Polished Man is a powerful movement dedicated to ending violence against women and children. The mission is a simple yet profound one: sign up and paint one finger nail blue — or any colour you choose — to start the conversation "What's with the painted nail?" While blue is the signature colour, the spectrum of colours chosen by supporters symbolizes the vibrant, diverse commitment to our cause. Each painted nail is a beacon of hope and a conversation starter, prompting the question, "What's with the painted nail?" This opens the door to discussing the mission and spreading awareness. A painted nail is more than just a colour—it's a Painted Promise to End Violence. It's a visible pledge to fight against the abuse and trauma faced by countless women and children. Together, we can create a different future. The funds raised go directly into our grants program, supporting a wide range of initiatives that enhance accountability, foster community engagement, and empower individuals and families. These programs are designed to prevent violence before it starts and to support survivors on their path to healing. By joining Polished Man, you become part of a community dedicated to making a real difference. Every conversation, every painted nail, and every donation brings us one step closer to a world where women and children can live free from violence. https://ift.tt/q6K17Dg #polishedman

Will be checking this one out. Topics of extreme importance! #exploitation #CSAM #pornography #pornhub #childprotection #digitalliteracy #onlineharm

Really important key points from OPD Fight For Right 🇺🇦 about replacing pity porn with a rights and justice-based approach to eliminating institutionalization and supporting people with disabilities.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this week, April 21-27, is specifically designated as National Youth Violence Prevention Week. During this time, various organizations concentrate their efforts on combating youth violence. This week focuses on examining various instances of youth violence that have transpired over the past few years. The initiative’s goal is to foster student involvement and ensure that individuals of all ages are equipped to address and prevent youth violence before it occurs. So How Can You Help? -Consider donating to the program that resonates most with you. -If monetary donations aren't an option for you, no worries! You can still make a significant impact by volunteering your time at organizations dedicated to addressing youth violence. -Actively being involved in groups or organizations that address youth violence. National Youth Violence Prevention Week: https://lght.ly/hnh1034 Paving the Way: https://lght.ly/elbpg0o #NationalChildAbusePreventionMonth #NationalYouthPreventionWeek #YouthViolence #Support