FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lynn Brewer, [email protected]

With the election nearing, The Hotline has joined forces with SHOWTIME/ MTV Entertainment Studios to launch an initiative to help victims and survivors of domestic violence vote safely.

Today, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and SHOWTIME/ MTV Entertainment Studios launched their 2024 “Our Votes Matter” effort to ensure that victims and survivors of domestic violence have the information and resources they need to fully participate in the upcoming election and stay safe while doing so. This 501c3 non-partisan effort aims to put critical information about safety into the hands of survivors.

Over 10 million people experience domestic violence every year. And increasingly, victims and survivors of domestic violence are feeling the effects of laws and policies that push their ability to find safety and security further out of reach – making their representation in our democracy incredibly important.

Domestic violence is all about power and control over an intimate partner, and can deeply impact a person’s ability to fully engage civically. It isn’t uncommon for abuse to include interfering in a person’s ability to vote by blocking access to the polls and/or coercing them into voting in a particular way. Even when an abusive partner does not directly restrict or interfere with a survivor’s ability to vote, many survivors experience barriers to voting due to privacy concerns and the fear that voting might compromise their safety.

“We are honored to be working with the National Domestic Violence Hotline to bring this incredibly important message to survivors nationwide,” said Brianna Cayo Cotter, SVP of Social Impact, SHOWTIME/ MTV Entertainment Studios. “Every voice and every vote matters, and we hope this effort will empower more survivors to make their voices heard in this election.”

The campaign will be featured across MTV networks and social media and will link back to a resource page where survivors can learn about address confidentiality programs and other tools they can use to vote safely. You can learn more by visiting www.MTV.com/OurVotesMatter

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) established in 1996, serves those impacted by relationship abuse in the U.S. 24/7 with free and confidential live services provided via phone, chat, and text. The Hotline envisions a world where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse in any form, help is available — text START to 88788, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat online at TheHotline.org. You are not alone.