INCREASING AWARENESS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Prepared for
Dallas Chamber of Commerce

Prepared by
Waqas Admani
George Onifade
Hableta Petros
Tuba Qazi
Najm Saqib

February 24, 2015

Table of Contents

Background.03
Introduction.03
Statistics..04
Proposal...06
Conclusion08
Authorization Request..09
References....10

BACKGROUND
Domestic violence is a significant social issue in our society today. Up until recently
domestic violence was just another name for spousal abuse and its main victims were
women. Now if we look at the statistics and the facts, domestic violence is no longer
limited to spousal abuse of women. By definition Domestic violence is a pattern of
behavior used to gain power and control over an intimate partner. Domestic violence can
happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, education, religion, disability status, or
sexual orientation (1).
It is a form of violence that takes place at home, between husband and wife; parents and
children; parents and grandparents, etc. The main victims of domestic violence are
women followed by children. A male being a victim of domestic violence is very
uncommon but possible. The fact of the matter is that this issue is very hard to expose is
because domestic violence occurs within the solitary walls of homes where victims could
be scared to speak out or are otherwise forced to keep quiet.
Many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and Non-Profitable Organizations have
been established to help the victims of domestic violence. Dallas Fort-Worth is home to
many such organizations. These organizations raise funds by getting in collaboration with
successful businesses that are willing to help the society, and conduct joint events
commonly known as Fundraiser Events. The money collected by these events goes
towards the aid of the victims of domestic violence.

INTRODUCTION
Nordstrom is one of Americas best companies and is also very well known for its
community services. According to the director of charitable giving at Nordstrom, Terry
Baldwin Giving back to the communities where we live and work is part of who we are
as a company"(2). We believe that the underprivileged people of our community deserve
all the aid that the privileged people can provide them. Dallas metroplex is one of the
fastest growing metropolises of America. But on the other side it is also amongst the top
listed cities that report the largest number of domestic violences in America. Dallas is
home to around 5 Nordstrom outlets and as a successful business residing. Being a
residence of this great city, we feel that it is our responsibility to give back to Dallas as
much as we can through our community services.
Nordstrom is proudly collaborating with Hopes Door to raise funds that will help the
organization to provide aid to the victims. Hopes Door is a shelter and counseling center
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in Dallas that offers different types of services to individuals and families who have been
victims of domestic violence and helps in spreading awareness that enhance the
community's capacity to respond. Effective since 1986, Hopes Door responds to over
1,900 crisis hotline calls, shelters more than 400 women and children, and provides
shelter for over 50 families (3).

STATISTICS
Domestic violence has become a nationwide ranging, and the numbers we face
are astonishing. The Dallas area is certainly not immune to this widespread. According to
Genesis Womens Shelter & Support The Dallas Police Department receives 20,000
callas regarding domestic violence each year yet, there are fewer than 150 safe shelter
beds available each night. This is an equal opportunity epidemic, plaguing homes in all
segments of the metroplex. It knows no racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, or educational
boundaries (4). In 2013, the Dallas Police Department Family Violence Unit reported
13,007 family violence calls, 1,215 aggravated assaults, 23 homicides, 10,812 informed
crimes, 91 sexual assault felonies, 180 violations of protective orders, and 5782 arrests.
Supporters sometimes offer homeless housings and other public resources to certain
callers. This amount only exemplifies victims who are looking for domestic violence
associated residential services. Although, the Dallas Police Departments primary
numbers for 2014 show the city had about comparable number of domestic violence
crimes this year as in 2013, though domestic violence killings are down to 16 thus far
from a total of 23 from the previous year.

1 in 4 women will know domestic violence in her lifetime (Figure 1)

1 in 3 teenage girls will be physically assaulted by a boyfriend
Domestic violence is the leading predictor of child abuse
50% of girls growing up in an abusive home will go on to be victims of
abuse themselves.
Men are victims of nearly 3 million physical assaults in the USA (5).

Deadly affection year-end statistics

2014 was a deadly year for many families in North Texas. 39 people in Dallas,
Collin, Denton and Rockwall counties died because of familial relationships. Husbands
killed wives; ex-girlfriends killed ex-boyfriends; sons killed mothers and on and on (6).

Number of Victims - 39 between age 1 to 68

Victims by gender
Women: 19
Men: 14
Victims by ethnicity
Black: 17
White: 10
Method of killing
Shooting: 22
Stabbing: 7

Children: 6
Hispanic: 10
Beating: 3

Location of killing

Parking lot: 4

House/
Apartment: 32

Workplace:
1

Asian: 2
Strangulation/
Suffocation: 2
Motel: 1

Unspecified: 5
Pool hall: 1

Figure 1: Victims by Gender

Victims By Gender

Women

Men

Children

Every year nations around the world host more than 1000 events associated to the March
8th International Womens day. Womens rights sponsor groups, schools, hospitals, banks,
charities and individuals all have something in common against domestic violence. It is
obvious that there are several signs of an abusive relationship between couples. The
world wakes up each day to a horrifying story that comes from all over nation - such as
gang rape, assault, beating, and etc. Although, men are physically tougher than women
but that doesnt automatically make it easier to escape the violence of the relationship.

Method of Killing

Shooting

Stabbing

Beating

Strangulation/ Suffocation

Unspecified

Figure 2: Method of Killing

The study exhibited that domestic violence against women and men was moderately high.
Almost 8 out of every 10 women had domestic violence by their partner or else.
Approximately three fourth of women were casualty of psychological violence as well
as more than half of the women had unlike forms of physical and sexual violence in the
past years (7). Numerous charity organizations help create awareness on the issue of
domestic violence, however it is still a major part of the crimes in the city. Therefore we
would like to arrange an event (a fashion show) to shed light on this issue at a larger scale
in the Dallas area.

PROPOSAL
The Nordstrom fashion show will be a runway inspired event, with current trends from
top fashion showscoupled with complimentary beauty consultations with pro stylists,
exclusive gifts and samples. It will be an empowering even focusing on fashion and the
strength that are similarly needed to stand up against domestic violence.
This fashion show will be modeled after other famous Nordstrom fashion show, like the
Nordstrom Designer Preview fashion show at Smith Cove Event Center, Seattle. That
event helped raised funds for Seattle Art Museum and incorporated elements of the
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Museum into the show. This particular event will open with speeches from survivors of
domestic violence. These survivors are victims that have benefited from the intervention
and prevention services offered by Hopes Door. The will share their stories and enlighten
our guest on various ways the guest can help create awareness.
The location of the event will be at the Omni Dallas Hotel. This location was chosen for
its centralized location. It provides easy access for our guest who will come from in and
out of the states. The Omni Dallas Hotel is located at Downtown Dallas, and has hosted
other fund-raising fashion events like the House of DIFFA 2014 (8). The table below
shows a summary of projected cost to secure this location, and manage the event.
Omni Dallas Hotel (7pm 10pm)
Edible Arrangements
Decoration and set
Gift Pack for guest
Models x20
Support Crew
Transportation and Miscellaneous
I.
Website design and AD
II.
Photographer
III.
Special Guest accommodation
IV. Transport Rental

$13,500
$7000
$5000
$10,000
$10,000 ($500 per model)
$10,000
$25,000

Total

$74,200

The event will feature models showing off the latest fashion designs by our trusted and
celebrated designers that we have collaborated with at previous events. The aim is to
graze our guests with a run-way fashion show experience, and use the power of fashion to
bring about a change in the way we look at victims of domestic violence. These victims
need our attention, and we as fashion enthusiast possess the power to influence a change.
We project to accommodate 250 guests. Our target crowd will be local and national
celebrities, socialites, business professionals, and fashion enthusiast. Tickets for the event
will be the main source of funds raisedfull proceeds will be donated the Hopes Door
Shelter and Counseling Center. The table below shows ticket price.

VIP (Front Row seats)

$5000

X 25 Seats

$125,000

Regular (Mid-Section seats)

$3000

X 100 Seats

$300,000

General Audience

$2000

X 125

$250,000

Projected Total

$675,000

All cost and totals are a projection, and have a tendency to change slightly. Coupled with
hired staff and crew for the event, we anticipate having 20 volunteers who have pledge to
support the event by helping with various tasks to make it a memorable show. All vendors
for the show have been contacted, and we have received invoices for their required
services. This event is scheduled for the 3rd of October 2015. This date for specifically
picked for October, which is domestic violence awareness month.

CONCLUSION
The number of domestic violence cases is alarmingly high especially in the city of Dallas,
as we can see from the statistics mentioned above. We really would like to help the
victims and do our best to create awareness on this important issue. We have an excellent
charity organization in the form of Hopes Door, which will help us do to reach victims
directly. We have done extensive research on this issue and have made a proposal and
budget, now all we need is funding. We are in the process of arranging a fashion show
and want it to be a successful event. Our main aim is this noble cause. There are several
welfare organizations in the city helping various different people, underprivileged,
orphans, etc. However, we feel that domestic violence victims are frequently neglected
due to the lack of awareness.
There is nothing worse than being beaten or abused by your loved ones. It not only
causes physical damages by the assaults, but also leaves a huge impact on a person
internally, which can change his or her life forever. Nothing in the world can justify
harming your loved ones, and we feel that if there were one thing that really needs to be
eradicated from this earth, it would be domestic violence. We are doing our best to help
the victims and this great organization is working day and night to help the domestic
violence victims. The issue of domestic violence is getting extremely serious by the day
and needs our immediate attention. In order to help the victims we seek your help. As the
number of victims in Dallas is quiet high, our proposal might go in vain without your
help and funding.

AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
We are seeking funding to organize an event to raise awareness of Domestic Violence and
to help educate people on the help that is available. The money raised will be donated to
our non-profit partner, Hopes Door. Please allow us to shed light on this growing
problem and begin the fight against it.
Funding in the amount of 74,200 is requested for basic setup and rental of our location.
Approval given by:
Signature:__________________

Date:___ /___ /___

Blake W. Nordstrom
President
Nordstrom, Inc.

REFERENCES

1. Hope's Door. (2015). Domestic V. hopesdoorinc.org. Retrieved Feb 22, 2015 from
http://www.hopesdoorinc.org/what_we_do/
2. Nordstrom, Inc. (2015). Company History. shop.nordstrom.com/. Retrieved Feb
22, 2015 from http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/company-history?origin=leftnav
3. Hope's Door. (2015). Mission & History. hopesdoorinc.org. Retrieved Feb 22,
2015 from http://www.hopesdoorinc.org/who_we_are/
4. Genesis Women's Shelter & Support. (2015). What is Domestic Violence?
genesisshelter.org. Retrieved Feb 22, 2015 from
http://www.genesisshelter.org/page.aspx?pid=364
5. The Dallas Morning News (2015). 39 lives and counting
dallasnews.com. Retrieved Feb 22, 2015 from
http://res.dallasnews.com/interactives/2014_deadlyaffection/part11/
6. Safe Horizon. (2015). Domestic Violence: Statistics & Facts. safehorizon.org.
Retrieved Feb 22, 2015 from
http://www.safehorizon.org/page/domestic-violence-statistics--facts-52.html
7. Safe Horizon. (2015). Domestic Violence: Statistics & Facts. safehorizon.org.
Retrieved Feb 22, 2015 from
http://www.safehorizon.org/page/domestic-violence-statistics--facts-52.html
8. Dallas magazine. (2015). House of DIFA 2014. dmagazine.com. Retrieved Feb
22, 2015 from
http://www3.dmagazine.com/events/details/House-of-DIFFA-2014-MasqueradeParty

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