HANDS & WORDS ARE NOT FOR HURTING®

A Pledge To End

ABUSE

and

VIOLENCE

HANDS & WORDS ARE NOT FOR HURTING PROJECT®

Salem, Oregon USA

Est. 1997

ANGER IS A FEELING:  ABUSE-VIOLENCE IS A CHOICE

                          Violence and abuse are at epidemic proportions in our society.  Most often, abuse/violence occurs         between people who know each other.  The result of such abuse/violence may be serious physical, sexual and psychological harm or death.  Both violence and non-violence are learned behaviors.  The choice is yours!

WHAT IS ABUSE AND VIOLENCE?

• Abuse:   any form of mistreatment of another

• Verbal Abuse/Violence:  name-calling, insulting, belittling, etc....

• Physical Abuse/Violence:  can be simple force (pushing, grabbing, slapping, etc....) and can escalate to deadly force (murder)

 VERBAL & PHYSICAL ABUSE:  THE CONNECTION

Verbal abuse often leads to physical violence.  Verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse.

MISSION

To educate each person in every community about their moral and legal RIGHT TO LIVE FREE OF ABUSE & VIOLENCE.

EVERY PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN STOPPING ABUSE & VIOLENCE

BY TAKING A PLEDGE:

  Not to use violence (verbal or physical) to control others

  Not to tolerate any form of abuse from others - ask for help

  Not to hurt yourself with words or actions

  To develop healthy relationships based on respect and equality

RESPECT & EQUALITY IN ALL RELATIONSHIPS

Respect:  to value, appreciate, care for and protect

Equality:  having the same value as another

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

You are encouraged to implement the HANDS & WORDS ARE NOT FOR HURTING PROJECT in your:

• homes

• schools

• businesses / workplaces

• crisis intervention services / shelters

• childcare facilities

• youth groups

• sports teams

• hospitals

• places of worship

   SHARE THE VISION  

Our goal

is

 to send this message

around the world

so that one day

 the Purple Hand Red Heart

 will be an international symbol

 of our quest

 to end abuse and violence

 everywhere.

THE PLEDGE

"I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others" ®

Each child and adult who makes this Pledge will trace their hand on purple* paper, cut out the hand print, and sign their name and age on the hand print.  The Pledge should be displayed in a prominent place as a reminder of their commitment.

*The color purple is used to honor and remember victims of abuse & violence.

®

A SYMBOL OF HOPE

THAT ONE DAY WE WILL LIVE FREE

OF ABUSE & VIOLENCE

The Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project® is an effective tool and a key piece in the puzzle of abuse and violence prevention education.

For more information on how to

implement this project, please contact:

Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project®

P.O. Box 2644, Salem OR 97308-2644

(503) 587-4853 or (888) 443-6299

FAX: (503) 391-7693

e-mail:  info@handsproject.org

www.handsproject.org

A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of charitable donations and volunteers.  Your contribution is appreciated!

The Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project's Name, Pledge, and Logo are registered trademarks and may not be reproduced or distributed without the expressed written consent of the Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project®.

Printing parially funded by K/P Corporation

PURPLE HANDS.....MAKE HAPPY HEARTS

Thanks to all who made the pledge.