Amanda Bynes, international teen star, joined Mary Kay, Inc to help kick off a national online campaign to encourage schools around the country to put in programs in schools teaching dating violence prevention.
The company along with Bynes will visit schools as well as promote an online petition to encourage lawmakers to make domestic violence prevention awareness mandatory in schools.
Bynes will work with Mary Kay, Inc and non-profit partner Break the Cycle to speak to young people about healthy relationships and how to prevent violence in a relationship. The first stop on their tour took place earlier in the week when Bynes visited the Oscar De La Hoya Animo Charter High School.
A recent report by the Family Violence Prevention Fund showed that a startling number of young people report being involved in a violent dating situation. Studies show that one in four eighth and ninth graders have been a part of a violent relationship. The Department of Justice confirmed that girls between 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of violence in relationships. These statistics alone show why it is important to educate all young people, boys and girls about domestic violence and how to prevent it.
“Amanda Bynes has joined Mary Kay and Break the Cycle to support our global philanthropic efforts to change the lives of women and children around the world,” said Rhonda Shasteen, chief marketing officer, Mary Kay Inc. “Domestic violence is a serious problem, and it’s not just among adults. As many as one in three teenagers will deal with physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse in a relationship. With Amanda Bynes’ support, we hope to generate awareness among teens and young adults about ways they can prevent teen dating violence.”
To become a part of the online campaign, and sign the petition, you can visit, www.enddatingviolence.com, The petition will be sent to lawmakers across the country to encourage them to make programs mandatory in schools. Currently only Texas and Rhode Island require domestic violence programs as part of the high school curriculum. Bynes became the first person to sign the petition.
Mary Kay Inc. has been a part of efforts to improve the lives of woman around the world for some time. In 2008 alone, the company will donate more than $1.5 million dollars from the sale of Beauty that Counts Crème Lipstick in Apple Berry to causes that change the lives of women and children around the world. Funds raised in the United States will go towards the Mary Ash Charitable Foundation and Break the Cycle.
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