Is Whiteribbon.org Safe?

A great website showing sensitivity and advocacy to all victims of domestic violence no matter their age or gender. This is a delicate topic though so people may want to think twice if they want to read a frank and factual discussion and strong opinions about domestic violence.

This is the American version of the White Ribbon Campaign, not to be confused with the Canadian or Australian versions. This site is to promote issues and discussions regarding domestic violence about people, both males and females, and is not gender-specific. It is run by Erin Pizzey, who created the Women's Shelter Movement, and then later began dealing with domestic violence of both genders. This is not the Canadian site, which sprung up after the events of the École Polytechnique massacre on December 6, 1989, in Montreal, and has mainly focused on violence solely against women. The Australian site has had some controversy regarding funding levels and how much actual donations are reaching the intended recipients. At the time of this review, only the whiteribbon.org site has no 'donation' button or link, and solely exists to provide information. The other sites contain links to buy merchandise and give donations. Because of some of the topics and discussions regarding interpersonal violence and domestic violence, the ".org" site may have content which will need to be discussed with children.

The site raises awareness of domestic and child abuse. The site is currently operated by Erin Pizzey, a humanitarian responsible for starting one of the first refuges/shelters in the U.K. The site was started in response to similar campaigns that ignore and demonize half of the victims of domestic. This site came under heavy criticism for the same reason that I applaud it: They challenge us to "End Violence Against Anyone."

Facts with supporting evidence presented in a mostly non-biased manner, by a collection of individuals seeking to end violence for all. All evidence is sourced and current with links to non-affiliated third parties. Other uses have listed this as a scam or unethical... it can't be either - they're not selling anything, and the presentation of science / studies / anything with a basis in reality can't be "unethical" It shares its name with a Canadian organisation which has been promoted internationally and is known to use false statistics for all countries it operates in and requests donations heavily - that is unethical - and perhaps the "scam" / "unethical" markers are supposed to be directed towards that "whiteribbon" and not this particular "whiteribbon" Edit: Upon submission I noticed another comment linking to the SPLC - it should be noted that since the SPLC is a non-profit organisation, it has no governing body limiting who or what it can classify as anything. To say that their classifications hold no weight is apt. I think the KKK is bad, so does the SPLC, to cite them over me makes no difference to the validity of the statement or ones views. They think pointing out facts in relation to gender is "misogynistic", normal people think it's presenting reality. Further: What someone has been accused of OR is guilty of, does not remove the potential value of what they say or do. Someone convicted of the most heinous crimes can say or do wonderful things - you can not discount that or state that the good things said or done have no value because of a prior transgression.

This is a response to, or an alternative to, the Australian White Ribbon campaign, and clearly labels itself as such. It deals with the criticism of the original White Ribbon campaign that it gendered the non-gendered issue of inter-personal violence. By giving statistics, citations and articles that put violence in a more realistic perspective that doesn't erase male victims, or oversimplify the dynamics in abusive relationships it can be seen as an alternative voice. It isn't a fundraising site - it just presents facts and raises awareness. The sites owner is Erin Pizzey who opened one of the first women's refuges in Chiswick in 1971, authored "Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear" and "Prone to Violence" and is currently patron of the charity Mankind. Because of the subject matter some images of victims of violence may be unsuitable for children.