By:  LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ. 

V to the 10th! V-Day is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, April 11-12, 2008, in New Orleans.  V-Day is a global event to stop violence against women and girls!  The event brings together a variety of all-star performers, guests and activists to celebrate courageous women and raise awareness for groups working to end all forms of violence against women.  What a great event!  Go V-DAY!!! 

A variety of laws aim to combat violence against women both at the state and federal level.  The national Violence Against Women Act makes it a Federal crime to cross state lines to abuse a spouse or partner.  Provisions of the law also created stiffer penalties for sex offenders and prohibited possession of a firearm by anyone subject to a restraining order for domestic violence. The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women takes a leadership role in administering justice for all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  Victims of violence can seek additional help here. 

V-Day has gained a lot of popularity and momentum over the past ten years.  Playwright Eve Ensler, who wrote “The Vagina Monologues,” founded the event.   Oprah Winfrey has been promoting the event on her XM radio network.  Other celebrities attending this year’s celebration include Jane Fonda, Faith Hill, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Alba, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Hudson and Kerry Washington.  Some actors, including, Oprah, will perform some of the monologues from The Vagina Monologues to show their support. 

The V-Day event has raised millions of dollars and educated so many in the effort to end violence against women.  Find a local V-Day event near you here:  http://events.vday.org/search.php.  Learn more about laws and legislation aimed at ending violence against women and be do your part today!