RADAR ALERT:
Lifetime TV Reaches out to Men by Ignoring DV Against Men

Lifetime TV is planning to broadcast a one-hour “documentary” about domestic violence on April 4 titled “Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America.” The Press Release which announces the film is attached at the end of this Alert.

Lifetime TV claims that it wants to stop domestic violence by involving men in its efforts, and is partnering with groups like ESPN. But then Lifetime TV turns around and produces a film about DV that completely ignores DV against men.

Somebody needs to ask Lifetime, “How can you say you are reaching out to men, and then turn around and pretend that men are never the victims of DV?”

Contact Lifetime TV and tell them the following:

1. In the introduction to its “documentary,” Lifetime TV needs to clearly and specifically indicate that males are also DV victims, and that women are just as likely to commit DV as men. (Lifetime is still finalizing the introductory information to the program, so prompt action can make a big difference.)
2. Lifetime TV needs to air the acclaimed “Men Don’t Tell” program, which examines female-on-male violence.
3. If Lifetime TV is serious about reaching out to men, it needs to partner with some of the domestic violence organizations that actually recognize and provide services to male victims.

Here’s the contact information:

1. Telephone: Call Mary Dixon in Public Affairs at 1-212-424-7195
2. Send an e-mail by going to this web address: www.lifetimetv.com/about/write.html -- under “Topic,” select “Other Comments or Concerns”
3. Send a constructive letter:

Meredith Wagner, Executive Vice President
Lifetime  TV
309 West 49 ^th Street
New York, NY 10019

If you want, you can also contact Tracey Spector , 917-716-8048 or tspector@lifetimetv.com .

While Lifetime TV is to be commended for trying to reach out to men, their decision to ignore female-on-male violence is a slap in the face to men.

Lifetime Television Premieres New Documentary:

'Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America' at Special Screening Monday, March 7

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Tracey Spector , 917-716-8048 or tspector@lifetimetv.com , Maggie Gallant, 917-207-0010 or Maggie@spotlightcomm.com , both for Lifetime Television

News Advisory:

-- Lifetime Television Premieres New Documentary: 'Terror At Home: Domestic Violence In America' At Special Screening Monday, March 7th At 6:30 Pm

-- Panel Discussion Following with Filmmakers Oscar-winner Maryann De Leo and Grammy Winner Michael Bolton

-- Launches National College Education Outreach on the Heels of New Lifetime Poll of Young Women and Men Ages 16-24 Finding that 7 Out of 10 Know Someone in an Abusive Relationship

WHAT: Lifetime Television, Amnesty International, The Body Shop, and Comcast host a premiere screening of Lifetime's new documentary, Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America. The one-hour documentary (which will air commercial-free on Lifetime, Sunday, April 10) is directed and executive produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker Maryann De Leo and executive produced by Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and activist Michael Bolton - both of whom will participate in a post screening panel discussion regarding how women and men can work together to prevent domestic violence. In combination with the documentary, Lifetime is distributing a viewer's guide to help facilitate and inform further similar conversation between men and women across the country.

The special screening launches a national college outreach initiative to engage more young women and men in efforts to stop the violence. It also launches Lifetime's "Stop Violence Against Women Week" in Washington, D.C. -- a series of events whereby Lifetime leads thousands of anti-violence advocates from around the country to raise awareness of an issue which affects one in three women in her life. As part of the "Donate a Phone, Save a Life" initiative, attendees are encouraged to bring used wireless phones to donate to raise funds for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Donated phones will be refurbished and sold with proceeds benefiting the NCADV and the Wireless Foundation.

WHO:

-- Maryann De Leo, Academy Award-winning filmmaker (HBO's Chernobyl Heart); executive producer and director, Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America

-- Michael Bolton, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and anti violence activist; executive producer, Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America

-- Sheryl Cates, Executive Director, National Domestic Violence Hotline

-- Dr. Oliver Williams, The Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community

-- Rachel Coleman, Amnesty International Student Representative

-- Rita Smith, Executive Director, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

WHEN: Monday, March 7th, Doors open at 5:30 p.m. (Press should be set by 6 p.m.)

WHERE: George Washington University: The School of Media and Public Affairs, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st Street, NW (Corner of 21st and H Street)

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY:

One in three American women will live with frightening and degrading domestic violence every day, trapped in relationships from which escape is difficult and dangerous. To acknowledge this too often silent epidemic -- and to foster a conversation among women and men about how it can be stopped -- Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America offers a report from the streets, police beats, and both modest and spacious homes -- putting a real-time lens on domestic abuse, the escape and the complex aftermath for women and their families. The documentary is a key component of Lifetime's Emmy award-winning advocacy outreach campaign "Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women."

Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Radio for Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Date of RADAR Release: March 7, 2005

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R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting – is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence. http://www.mediaradar.org