Laço Branco (WRC Brazil) PSA

Below is a new psa from our White Ribbon partners in Brazil, Laço Branco.

A unique approach to an issue that we have traditionally stayed away from.  The point here is not to make a judgment about the merits of abortion (in fact, the actor states he is not in favour of abortion) but rather on the negative impact of the law on women’s lives, itself a form of violence against women.

Joao Lima, a popular actor in Brazil states in the PSA:

“Do you think a woman that has an abortion should be arrested, become ill, or even die? Like you, I am not in favour of abortion. I am against the criminalization of women. The law that criminalizes abortion is also a form of violence against women. Let's not stand with arms crossed. Brazilian White Ribbon Campaign. Men working to end violence against women.”

Brilliant Mor Çati PSAs

MOR CATI - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE from TBWA\ ISTANBUL on Vimeo.

This is a video from Mor Cati, an anti-domestic violence org from Turkey showing men destroying anti-domestic violence posters, which they put up around Instanbul. Of course the object of the campaign was to have them destroyed in order to reveal a message about domestic violence. 

Although Jezebel has a point that this message may have more to do with basic vandalism and not domestic violence specifically, but it does paint a pretty good picture of the destructive tendencies of many men.

NRFC - Fatherhood Involvement PSAs

The National Responsible Father Clearinghouse has posted an excellent series of PSAs:




These are great examples of positive messaging showcasing men as responsible role models engaging with their children in a way that doesn't repeat tired notions that a good father is strong, emotionless and detached and "king of the castle".

The rest can be viewed here

Walk A Mile Toronto PSA

"It Starts With You. It Stays With Him." Invitation

Please join the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) and Le Centre ontarien de prévention des agressions (COPA) with special guest The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services, and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, as we launch our new online-based, social media campaign “It Starts With You. It Stays With Him.”

This initiative will inspire and support MEN to be good role models for the boys in their lives, and to teach them the skills and benefits of healthy equal relationships with women and girls.

You can read more about the initiative here (pdf)

When: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Hockey Hall of Fame Esso Theatre)
Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario

To RSVP (by June 16, 2009) and for further information, please contact:

Humberto Carolo
Director of Programs
White Ribbon Campaign
Tel: 416-920-6684
hcarolo(at)whiteribbon(dot)ca

The invitation can be downloaded and forwarded onto your colleagues here (pdf)

Patrick Stewart Talks About Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence PSAs

Normally I don't like to promote domestic violence PSAs that show violence, battered and abused women, graphic, negative imagery. I understand that that is the reality and pretending like it doesn't happen isn't going to help anyone, but at the same time, I personally react better to PSAs that try to showcase the positive that people do in trying to put an end to domestic violence, or violence of any kind for that matter.

I would show more examples of the latter if I could, but it seems like violence sells.

That being said, I actually like the following PSAs from TBWA\RAAD Abu Dhabi, UAE for City of Hope, Dubai.


Click here for the rest.

The contrast of the x-rays on black background, the broken bones to the "bling" speaks volumes without being overly graphic (ie no blood, bruises). The fact that the xrays are anonymous speaks volumes about women suffering in silence and as Street Anatomy put it:

"the fact that even though everything may appear fine on the outside, there can be painful damage present underneath. And it’s only a matter of time before it’s exposed."

[via Street Anatomy]

Focus Group: Planned Parenthood Toronto

click image to enlarge

The excellent Planned Parenthood Toronto is looking for young men ages 16 - 24 to participate in a focus group. $20, tokens and pizza!

If you're a young man and interested in participating please contact Michele at 416-961-0113 x.152 or email mchai@ppt.on.ca

Washing Your Hands of DV

Anti-DV PSA from Amnesty International Portugal.

It may be a translation thing but, generally when you wash your hands of something you are ignoring no? So wash your hands of denouncing DV? Of not denouncing it? Am I caught in a double negative? Regardless I think it is very clever.

I agree with Copyranter that it would quite the shock to stumble drunkenly into a bar bathroom and have blood come out of the dispenser.

Via Copyranter.

Textual Harassment

This is a very clever and disturbingly humourous PSA from the Ad Council, Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Office on Violence Against Women.



Textual harassment is a relatively new phenomenon of the hyper-connected age. One of the major downfalls of 'web 2.0' and social networking is the ease at which it lends itself to harassment of all kinds from anonymous comments on blogs, fake myspace pages, facebook groups designed to belittle and humiliate.

From their youtube page:

1 in 4 teens in a relationship say they have been called names, harassed or put down by their partner through cell phones and texting.

Digital communication is an integral part of teens lives and this fairly unchartered digital space has created new challenges for teens as they start to experience intimate relationships. Unfortunately, dating abuse in the digital world is increasingly becoming a serious problem unique to the millennial generation of teens.

Cellphones and the internet have become prime environment for controlling behavior, such as sending unwanted text messages or pressuring for nude pictures, that can be abusive or lead to relationship violence.
In an effort to prevent teen dating abuse and help teens build healthy relationships, the Ad Council has partnered with the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Office on Violence Against Women on a national, multimedia PSA campaign.

The new PSAs are designed to help teens recognize digital dating abuse and provide them with the tools to initiate a conversation about this issue. The PSAs direct teens to visit www.ThatsNotCool.com were they are encouraged to draw their own lines around what is, or is not, acceptable relationship behavior and seek help from their peers.

If I Were A Boy

Since this is a McDonald's commercial I approach it with caution, but this seems to be a surprisingly positive message.

Now if they could work on the psa for "If I Were A Healthy Place To Eat"



Thanks Humberto!

Respect, Safety, Romance (Eww!) & Love

Extremely endearing PSA from the cast and crew of the Grafton Community Television show Silly Me TV, from Massachusetts.

As Valentine's Day approaches they remind us all to include respect and safety with the chocolates and roses. And certainly not to act like coercive fool.



More information on Mass' WRC can be found here.

Living Breathless

Living Breathless is a new anti-domestic violence PSA out of Quebec (warning: may be uncomfortable for aqua/clausterphobes).

I have no doubt that intense and/or extreme campaigns of this nature draw attention to their respective issues (ie - me blogging about it) but do they actually do anything to effect change? Or are they quickly forgotten once we've overcome the shock. Are PSAs that focus on positive aspects of issue (people working towards positive change) more effective?

Here is another video from the same campaign (French only)