PA Says NO MORE in new campaign against domestic, sexual abuse

(Harrisburg) — Statewide coalitions against domestic violence and sexual assault are teaming up to launch a new campaign.

PA Says NO MORE seeks to raise awareness and change behaviors.

It’s an extension of the work already being done by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

PCADV Executive Director Peg Dierkers says every person has a role to play in changing a culture that excuses abuse.

“So if it’s just songs that objectify women, pornography that sometimes uses children and jokes that people think are funny about rape or beating one’s wife — we need to say, no more,” she explains.

The groups hope to make the “No More” symbol — a teal colored “Zero” — as recognizable as the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness.

“Then when somebody asks you about your lapel pin, or bumper sticker, you can talk about how it means NO MORE domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities,” explains PCAR CEO Delilah Rumburg. “We want to generate those conversations because we know that’s what real prevention is about — having those discussions about what we can do as a community to prevent these kinds of crimes.”

More than 30,000 Pennsylvanians sought services as the result of a sexual assault last year, and 141 Pennsylvanians died as a result of domestic violence.

The PA Says NO MORE website includes video messages from survivors and advocates. It also provides resources to help prevent such violence and assist victims of domestic and sexual abuse.