FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Photography Exhibit Breaks Down Stereotypes

City Name – DATE – The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) announces The Faces of the Iowa Voices Project photography exhibit as a major piece of our Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities.  The exhibit will be held EXHIBIT DATE at LOCATION.  The exhibit will be open from 11:00 to 8:00 and is free to the public.  There will be a reception at FILL IN TIME to meet the photographer, Katie Thompson, and thank those involved.

This traveling exhibit consists of portraits of 31 amazing women.  Each of these women have shared, not only their true stories of domestic violence survival, but their identities as well.  They are helping ICADV show that there is no “typical” victim of domestic violence.  The women come from all walks of life, age groups, ethnic backgrounds and parts of the state.  Their stories and portraits serve as a testament to the bravery and strength of these women and the other 22,317 abuse victims served by Iowa domestic violence programs last year. 

ICADV launched the Iowa Voices Project last fall.  Each survivor met with Author and photographer, Katie Thompson for an extensive interview and photo session.  Katie then compiled the stories in a first person format.  Not only has Katie volunteered countless hours on this project, she is also one of the project participants.  The stories are being compiled and will be released as a book in October, 2009.

The local domestic violence program _____________________ is partnering with ICADV to bring this exhibit to _______.  Program specific information. 

ABOUT ICADV - The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence is comprised of people dealing with the concerns of battered women and their families. They represent both rural and urban areas. Their programs support and involve battered women of all racial, social, religious, and economic groups, ages, and lifestyles. They oppose the use of violence as a means of control over others and support equality in relationships and the concept of helping women assume power over their own lives. They strive toward becoming independent, community based groups in which women make major policy and program decisions.

- ### -

Program contact info

Sarabeth Anderson                                                               

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence                        

515 28th St. Des Moines, IA 50312                                     

Phone: 515-244-8028 ext.  317                                              

sarabetha@icadv.org