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The 2014 ESPYS - Show

Russell Wilson has come up with a new social media campaign to combat domestic violence and help victims find a safe place.

So far 2014 has been epic for the Seattle Seahawks quarterback. His team won the Super Bowl, and he got to meet Jay Z and Beyoncé! By comparison it’s been a terrible summer for the NFL in general as the league has been roasted for its once-flimsy public policy on domestic violence in the fallout from video of Ray Rice knocking out his now-wife Janay Rice.

Seeing how many people have been affected by domestic violence has compelled Russell to do something for the people who have suffered attacks from their loved ones. As a self-proclaimed reformed bully, Russell said in a post on The Player’s Tribune that he feels strongly about helping victims.

MUST READ: The Internet Photoshops A COVERGIRL Ad In Protest Of Domestic Violence In The NFL

“Men, women and children are taking refuge in anonymous shelters. Many more are suffering silently, without protection,” he pointed out. “Every day, up to 10,000 Americans are turned away from shelters due to lack of resources. What can we do to help? All I can do is my small part. And I invite you to help me.”

That’s why his newly minted Why Not You Foundation is doing something to assist facilities that offer support to anyone escaping domestic violence with his Pass the Peace initiative. “I want us to Pass the Peace to support victims of domestic violence,” he explained. “The idea behind Pass the Peace is simple: It’s a promise. I’m sharing my love for you. I want to take care of you. I am here for you.”

Participating is fairly simple, even if you aren’t that athletic. All you have to do is record a video of yourself holding up a peace sign while throwing a ball off-screen. Then, taking a page from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, you just name two or more friends to carry on with the campaign. Watch how Russell does it below!

 

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It seems pretty simple, but there’s one more step to passing the peace.”When you Pass the Peace to a friend, I ask that you make a $2 donation or more to The National Domestic Violence Hotline,” he requested. You can make a donation by texting WNYPassThePeace to 41444.

With this being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Russell believes that he can no longer sit back and do nothing about the prevalent problem. “I’ve been silent on the issue for too long, falling back on the “I can’t speak to someone else’s personal life” excuse. But victims need physical, emotional and financial support and care, and the resources to get away from their abusers,” he wrote before calling on aggressors to get themselves together. “Abusers, you need to get help—you can change.”

Click here to find out more about Russell’s Pass The Peace Campaign.

READ MORE:

4 Women Were Hired To Create The NFL Domestic Violence Policies, But None Were Black

Former Ravens Star Ray Lewis Criticized For Ray Rice Commentary: ‘Some Things You Can Cover Up…Some Things You Can’t’

Roger Goodell Admits He ‘Made A Mistake’ In Ray Rice Case

Russell Wilson Aims To Help Battered Women’s Shelters With New Pass The Peace Campaign  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com