VIDEO: Anti-Violence PSA
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics Department announces the debut of "Speak Up," a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) addressing the issue of violence. Four of the university's head coaches are featured in this PSA produced by Oceanic Time Warner Cable:
The overarching message of the PSA is that violence of any kind is not acceptable and that everyone needs to work together to create a community that is safe for our children and loved ones.
UH Athletics views the issue of domestic and campus violence as a top priority. At the recent "Ladies Night" event with the UH football team, a representative from the Domestic Violence Action Center of Hawai'i spoke to the participants about the importance of this issue.
"Domestic violence has no part of our football team and will not be condoned," said Rolovich. "Our team understands this and we hope it sticks with them for the rest of their lives. Our responsibility as representatives of this university and the state in which we live is to be good citizens, and we, as coaches, preach to them the importance of living aloha each and every day."
"All of our student-athletes participated in mandatory sexual violence prevention training," said David Matlin, UH athletic director. "This is an important community issue and we will continue to educate our students about the prevention of violence within our university 'ohana and the broader community."
According to national statistics, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. "Violence affects everyone and I hope that bringing awareness to these facts will help people take action. Let's continue to take care of one another in the spirit of Aloha," said Beeman.
The PSA will begin airing on August 15, 2016 and will also be shown in UH venues such as the Stan Sheriff Center, Les Murakami Stadium, Wahine Softball Stadium and Aloha Stadium. The PSA will also be used for Title IX educational programs at the university and in the community. Additionally, the PSA will run on local radio stations.
Television networks who wish to air "Speak Up" should contact Shawn Nakamoto at
shnaka@hawaii.edu.
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