ENOLA, PA., Sept. 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Sexual Violence Resource Center announces a multi-year partnership with the National Football League to address the far-reaching impacts of sexual assault and domestic violence. The NFL has pledged financial and in-kind support to the NSVRC for distribution to support state and local sexual assault hotlines. The NFL is also pledging support to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
"We applaud the NFL for taking sexual assault and domestic violence seriously. We look forward to partnering with them and think it is a great model for influential organizations to support the work of sexual assault victim advocacy programs at state and local levels to ensure safety for survivors," NSVRC Director Karen Baker said.
As part of the partnership, the NSVRC will contribute resources that will be distributed to all NFL teams. The collaboration also will create ongoing opportunities to support people affected by sexual assault.
In August, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell publicly announced the league's new policies regarding sexual assault and domestic violence. "We clearly must do a better job of addressing [domestic violence and sexual assault] in the NFL. And we will," Goodell said.
"By partnering with experts in the field of sexual assault and domestic violence, the NFL could become leaders in changing the pro sports culture by promoting equality and relationships that exemplify respect and consent," said Delilah Rumburg, CEO of NSVRC.
NSVRC was founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, which has 40 years of experience working with a network of rape crisis centers to bring help, hope, and healing around issues of sexual violence to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. NSVRC coordinates Sexual Assault Awareness Month, hosts national events, and works with experts across the U.S. to identify, develop and disseminate information on all aspects of sexual violence prevention and intervention. For information, visit www.nsvrc.org, www.facebook.com/nsvrc and www.twitter.com/nsvrc.