Domestic Violence Network Of Greater Indianapolis, Minnesota Takes Its Message To The Big Screen

INDIANAPOLIS, MN — To show the destructiveness of domestic violence and encourage victims to find help, the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis and Verizon Wireless have teamed up to sponsor a dramatic, two-minute film to be shown in four theaters in Indianapolis, beginning Friday, December 2, and running through January 5, 2006.

The movie trailer public service announcement, which is expected to be seen by 73,000 people in the greater Indianapolis area, depicts the lives of four couples and one older woman. The dramatic scenes show many aspects of domestic violence-physical, emotional, financial and psychological abuse. The trailer, which ends on an uplifting note with survivors finding safety and getting help, also educates viewers on how to get help locally by calling 2-1-1 (in the Indianapolis area) or (317) 926-4357.

One out of four women between the ages of 18 and 65 will experience domestic abuse firsthand some time in their lives. From July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005, 66 people in the state of Indiana died as a result of domestic abuse, according to the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis.

"The most effective way to combat domestic violence is through education and awareness," said Tracey Horth Krueger, executive director for the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis. "The purpose of this movie trailer is to raise awareness of the many forms domestic violence can take and where individuals can turn for help-whether they're victims or know someone who is experiencing abuse."

Indiana is the third state to introduce this movie trailer public service campaign to movie- goers. Verizon Wireless also supported the endeavor in Wisconsin in 2002 and Iowa in 2003.

Here in Indiana, Verizon Wireless has donated nearly $15,000 to the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis for this educational campaign. The donation is a result of a special HopeLine® drive that was held earlier this summer at the Verizon Wireless Music Center, in which Verizon Wireless pledged $10 to the Domestic Violence Network for every phone and/or accessory donated to the program. Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless handsets and equipment to be refurbished and sold, with proceeds going to support domestic violence awareness and prevention programs.

"We are fully committed to combating domestic violence wherever it exists," said Michelle Gilbert, public relations manager—Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "This movie trailer effectively demonstrates that domestic violence does not discriminate on race, ethnicity, age, or economic or geographic boundaries." The following theaters will feature the PSA:

• Kerasotes ShowPlace 12, Glendale Mall, 6102 N. Rural St.
• College Park 14, Loews Cineplex, 3535 W. 86th St.
• Cinemark Washington Market 8, 10455 E. Washington St.
• Cinemark Movies 8 in Greenwood, 1848 E. Stop 13 Road

Two theaters-Glendale Mall and Loews College Park-will show the movie trailer PSA as part of the previews to PG-13 and R-rated movies. The Cinemark theaters will show the PSA as part of the previews to R-rated movies.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis
The Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis is a partnership committed to finding creative solutions that prevent and respond to domestic abuse.

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