Verizon, HAVEN partnership aims toward abuse prevention

Verizon funded development of "Daisy Tells a Secret," an animated 

video designed to educate children ages 4-8 about sexual abuse. 

Neither HAVEN CEO Beth Morrison nor Verizon's Michelle Gilbert know exactly when the partnership between their employers started.

But they agree it's a very natural fit.

Gilbert, who has been with Verizon for more than 10 years, said domestic violence prevention is the company's primary cause. When cell phones first came out, she explained, most people bought them for safety and security.

"Verizon donates hundreds of phones and millions of minutes to domestic violence organizations, for their clients to use," Gilbert said. "We wanted to choose a cause that would help the community at large, and domestic violence knows no geographic boundaries."

The majority of Verizon's 2,000 Michigan employees are based in Oakland County, which made HAVEN a natural partner. In addition to Verizon's support for "Hope Line" cell phone and minutes donations, the company has funded development of a unique tool in the fight against child sexual abuse.

"Daisy Tells a Secret," a 10-minute animated video produced by Michigan-based One of Us Films, premiered late in 2009. Morrison said the project is just wrapping up, with development of support materials for schools and parents.

Verizon also funded a one-year staff research position to support development of a training program about identifying and assisting employees who may be experiencing domestic violence. HAVEN's efforts to translate materials into other languages received assistance as well.

"They have been very supportive over time," Morrison said. "We also have one of Verizon's vice presidents on our board."

Gilbert explained Verizon's commitment goes beyond supporting other organizations.

"We have a zero tolerance policy for workplace violence," she said. "We offer our managers training to make them aware of the science of domestic violence, so they can help if there is an opportunity to do so. If we have an employee we know is in an abusive situation, we work with them to change their hours or relocate them, to ensure they can be safe and continue to have a job."

The company also offers an Employee Assistance Program, which helps employees deal with personal issues that may affect them at work.

Morrison said the benefits of having a corporate partner in the telecommunications industry is especially important now. Technology has been a blessing and a challenge for agencies that assist people in violent, controlling relationships. Because software can be installed to spy on someone's on-line activity, for instance, the agency has had to rethink directing people to its web site.

HAVEN's web site recently underwent a transformation, thanks to a generous in-kind donation from Campbell-Ewald. Now, a red bar on the side of each page on the site can quickly re-direct the user to an innocuous web page.

Having someone who works in the technology world gives HAVEN access to the latest information and innovations, and an opportunity to look into how technology could be used down the road.

Verizon's national audience also benefits HAVEN, Morrison said. "It helps to give us a voice and a larger platform to get our message about domestic violence prevention out."

That message is also deeply personal, given that one in three women will be abused in her lifetime, Gilbert said. "These are our co-workers and our family members."