New "NO MORE" Celebrity PSA Address the Myths and Excuses that Confront Adult Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Spearheaded by the Joyful Heart Foundation and 1in6

1 IN 6 MEN had an unwanted or abusive sexual experience before age 18

The Joyful Heart Foundation, founded by actress and advocate Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and 1in6, a leading organization that provides support and information to male survivors of childhood sexual abuse today launched— in partnership with the NO MORE movement to end domestic violence and sexual assault – a new print series of the groundbreaking NO MORE PSA campaign. The new campaign speaks to the excuses and myths that male survivors of sexual abuse are confronted with. The print ads use bold, provocative messaging to engage bystanders and challenge preconceived notions about abuse, like NO MORE “That can't happen to guys" and NO MORE "He just needs to get over it." The campaign features 8 celebrities including Mariska Hargitay, co-stars of Law & Order: SVU Danny Pino and Ice T, Blythe Danner, Katie Couric, Chris Meloni, Maria Bello and Peter Hermann.

“Being part of NO MORE from the beginning has been a great privilege,” said Joyful Heart Founder & President Mariska Hargitay. “Society continues to misplace shame and blame on survivors—both women and men. That has to end. By confronting the myths and excuses we rely on to avoid ending domestic violence and sexual assault, NO MORE fills me with confidence and renewed determination that we will put an end to the violence.”

Steve LePore, Executive Director of 1in6 noted that, ‘’From the outset, everyone involved with NO MORE has shown a desire and commitment to be inclusive of men’s experience of violence.  We’re grateful for that vision, which at every turn has proven beneficial to men, and we’re proud to partner with NO MORE and Joyful Heart on this campaign. 

Over the years, Joyful Heart has helped to bring improvements in our society’s response to survivors by meeting them with compassion, greater access to justice and by having the necessary conversations to prevent violence and abuse from happening in the first place. But turning the tide of public awareness to lift the isolation and shame placed on survivors is still a work in progress.

Our community response is a reflection of the myths and excuses surrounding these issues that blame and stigmatize victims. Frequently, we hear or read that because a woman dressed a certain way, she was "asking for it.“ Or that if survivors don’t fight, run away or tell anyone, it is somehow their fault.  Or that abuse doesn’t happen to guys.

The “NO MORE Excuses,” campaign launched in September 2013 and was designed to help dispel many of the most common and pervasive myths about sexual assault and domestic violence, and to engage the public in an open dialogue about these important issues.  

The campaign, which includes over 40 celebrities and public figures urging bystanders to get involved, was developed in partnership with Y&R and world-renowned photographer Timothy White. The three-year PSA campaign has been rolling out across the country in local and national markets via print, broadcast, online and outdoor advertising, in movie theaters nationwide, and in major airports and medical facilities. Endorsed by the Ad Council’s Endorsed Campaign program and with the support of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, NO MORE has also secured major partnerships with Viacom, Lifetime Television, USA Networks, ConnectiVISION Digital Networks/ClearVISION and OK TV!. The video and print ads are available at no cost to non-profit organizations, universities and corporations to co-brand and increase support in their local communities for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and services.

To date, 446,303,169 people have seen the campaign across TV, print, outdoor, digital and media placements, with millions more reached through social media. The PSAs have aired on television over 7,445 times, reaching over 98 million people in markets across the country and over 6 million people on AMC, Cinemark and Regal Theater’s movie screens nationwide. 

Over 10 million readers of the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, More, Allure, Glamour, People, Vanity Fair, Huffington Post, Seventeen, Forbes and the New York Observer have seen the PSAs, as well as over 2 million attendees at the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend. Additionally, the PSAs have appeared on billboards across the country, including on Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles, and 20 locations throughout the Midwest. 

The NO MORE PSAs can be viewed at www.nomore.org/psas. 

ABOUT NO MORE

NO MORE has been in the making since 2009 and was developed because despite the significant progress that has been made in raising awareness around these issues, they remain hidden and on the margins of public concern. Virtually every domestic violence and sexual assault prevention organization in the U.S. is behind NO MORE, along with corporate leaders, branding experts, celebrities, athletes and advocates nationwide.

NO MORE was designed to unify everyone working to combat these issues in an unprecedented way – whether their focus is women and girls, men and boys, teenagers, children, minorities, rural or urban communities – as well as corporate leaders from a variety of business sectors behind one, powerful brand created to transform awareness and action. www.nomore.org

About the NO MORE PSA

The NO MORE PSA campaign was spearheaded by the Joyful Heart Foundation, one of the many championing organizations behind the creation of the NO MORE symbol, and was directed by actress and advocate Mariska Hargitay, the Foundation’s President and Founder, in her directorial debut. www.nomore.org/psas

About 1in6

The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives. Their mission also includes serving family members, friends, and partners by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community. www.1in6.org

About the Joyful Heart Foundation

Founded by Law & Order: SVU actress Mariska Hargitay, the Joyful Heart Foundation works to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. www.joyfulheartfoundation.org