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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
*Did you know: On average, every minute a woman is raped in America.*
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
As their website states, "At Pepperface.com™ innovation and style converge with social responsibility – reinventing the vital topic of personal safety. Now being fashionable can save your life – seriously." Pepperface goes on to describe their product as, "Convincing, hand-held protection that looks as at home on the red carpet as it does in the self-defense category."
*Male sexual assualt offenders typically gain control through entrapment, intimidation and/or physical force*
Pepperface heads up vital campaigns against domestic violence and sexual assault which are crucial to fight the stop of violence against women for several reasons:
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
- Unlike many issues and health concerns, violence against women has no hope for a breakthrough in medicine or science to provide a cure. It affects women of all ages, nationalities, races, and religions, in staggering numbers.
- It is estimated that 60% of rapes go unreported. Why is that number so shockingly high? Because victims of rape and violence often face ridicule and accusations when coming forward – instead of receiving the care they deserve. The traumatizing assault experience is then followed by more fear and anguish. Many must face this suffering completely alone.
It is not only the victims that are silent. Society as a whole is generally afraid to openly discuss rape and sexual violence. The facts are avoided in hopes that violence will simply go away by itself. Instead of it just going away, the silence encourages more violence. Hiding the truth results in a lack of education; raising significant funds for violence against women organizations becomes unattainable; and loopholes in the law that benefit the attackers go unchallenged.
These facts can change. It’s a serious battle ahead – but one we can win. "The Prevention Purple" campaign color is dedicated to this cause. An awareness symbol that protects against the issue it stands for. Carrying the Pepperface.com™ Edition Palm Defender® does more than just state that we will not tolerate violence against women – it proves it. Protect yourself and those you love while supporting awareness to end violence against women.
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
I contacted Simo Glumac with Pepperface about being featured as our "Weekly Challenge" here on The Compassion Fashion Project blog and he had this to say, "Thank you for contacting Pepperface.com and sharing those very kind words regarding Pepperface and what we stand for. It seems your organization and ours share the same interests in style and personal safety! We would be more than happy and honored to have Pepperface featured in your blog. We are partnered with the National Center on Domestic and sexual violence. We feature our main signature line spray as the prevention purple spray, because as you know purple is the designated color for violence against women. We do our best to help people stay safe and look good while doing it! We attend and host safety seminars when possible and speak to local businesses to help teach awareness."
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
Glumac goes on to address concerns women have about the use of pepper spray by noting"Most women stopped carrying pepper spray due to it's size, function, presentation and confusion on how to properly use it. We believe we covered those issues with the Pepperface Palm Defender."
The Compassion Fashion Project understands the sensitive nature of this topic, but we really felt like it was time to open up the discussion about self-defense. Any of us at any time are vulnerable to an attack and we need practical ways to defend ourselves. Women leaving violent relationships are especially nervous about being attacked while trying to start their new lives, but they cannot let that stop them. I will be seeking out ways we can all defend ourselves as women from the staggering statistics that plague our society. This means fighting back and finding that place of courage deep inside all of us that wants to protect ourselves and our children.
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
*42% of rape victims say they expect to be raped again*
What People Are Saying
"Kick butt, look great."- CNBC
"Ooh-la-la safety."- Chicago Tribune
"The rise of Doodad Couture."- The Wall Street Journal
"They put the chic in kicking ass."- The New York Tribune
"Pepper spray is ready for its close-up."- New York Daily News
"...it makes a woman feel more in control. I love my Pepperface and think every woman should have one."- Carmen Electra
"This gives a whole new meaning to the term "fierce fashion."- The Compassion Fashion Project
*One in four college women are victims of rape or attempted rape*
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| Photo provided by Pepperface.com |
Source for statistics provided by Pepperface.com
This is a great self-defense mechanism :) Power to women!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Miss Nine West
Absolutely...and since Pepperface is partnered with The National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence, part of the proceeds go to help survivors!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that so many organizations are interested in making a difference. In today's world, you can never be too safe...or too prepared. I find working downtown, I often look over my shoulder or apprehensively approach corners where lurkers may be. It's sad we cannot walk our streets with the innocence of yesterday. However, with these mechanisms and the word being spread, we can prevent these occurences one by one. Thanks for sharing Compassion Fashion Project!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! We want women to feel safe and this is a wonderful tool to help make that happen. Judging from the statistics, we really need a way to escape a scary situation if one should come up.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Every women should have this! My boss gave me pepper spray (alas, not this chic one) and I have to say I do feel so much more prepared to defend myself.
ReplyDeleteAlso I love that Pepperface also gives seminars and are partnered with National Center of Domestic and Sexual violence. I'm going to bookmark so I can get this little guy for my friends come b'days.
Really great challenge. Thanks for sharing- heart you!
I LOVE that they have seminars, too:) I wish I could convince them to make a trip to Arkansas! This may be something I look into trying to sponsor down the road, because we all want to know how to use it properly for our safety, as well. That would just give us all that little bit of extra confidence while carrying. Would be a wonderful event for women getting out of abusive relationships.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support!
very nice. i wish this can be done in africa... we don't document anything in my country and a lot of women who have been raped hardly come out cos they will be termed as outcast in the society. i just pray for them and hope that it will change. good jobs guys...
ReplyDeleteand tanks for your wonderful story very nice... the one you dropped on my box..
www.secretlilies.blogspot.com
I know, I know...it's such a tragedy. It is unfortunate that we must take these extreme measures, but the facts are the facts and we deal with reality here at The CFP.
ReplyDeleteTogether, we can make changes, though, Tam! Always a pleasure to have you stop by<3
Affordable and legal! No one should be without out this product.
ReplyDeleteRight on, sista!
ReplyDeleteso cute!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://theminimalistchic.blogspot.com/
It's a great idea, and they are wonderfully designed. However... The issue with pepper spray is that it can also be used against you, I wonder how that can be circumvented. And of course the message that violence needs to be fought with violence may be a true one in this case, but it's still a truth I'm uncomfortable with. Entirely my problem, this campaign overall is great!
ReplyDeleteI applaud the attempt to fight back, but I don't know how comfortable I am with the fashion connection they make; the quote "being fashionable could save your life - seriously" is a bit glib for my taste. I think most women would feel better with this to hand, of course, and I would support anything that makes people feel less vulnerable, but I would feel better if there were campaigns running alongside which emphasised the role of men in the fight against rape and domestic violence. If they didn't do it, women wouldn't have to defend themselves, and I think there's a danger that the focus is on tackling the effect, not the cause. Thank you for writing such a thought-provoking post!
ReplyDeleteOkay, let me respond to these last two comments. First, dearest Poet, if someone is about to attack you, I would assume they are going to do a lot worse to you than take your pepper spray away from you and spray you with it. For me, I would at least like to have a chance to get away than none at all. This is also why Pepperface holds seminars to teach women how to use it properly. However, everyone is entitled to their opinions, so thanks for the comment. What makes me more uncomfortable is that one in three women in this country will be raped at some point in her life...that makes me REALLY uncomfortable. To Mrs. Bossa, actually pepperface is owned and run by men who are partnered with The National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence and I think leading by example is a great way for these men to reach other men. Of course, if men didn't do it we wouldn't be having this conversation, but they do. Anyone who feels very strongly about running a campaign to teach men NOT to commit violence against women, I completely applaud, but that's not we do here at The CFP. We merge fashion and philanthropy with a focus on domestic violence and WOMEN empowerment. We are focused on the women and their healing process and escaping their violent relationships or a violent encounter. Why not "being fashionable could save your life-seriously"...fashion sets the tone for what is going on in this world. The fashion industry are the trensetters, innovators, and pioneers that lead this world in one direction or another...which is exactly why I started The CFP. We are the ones that will make a difference by being leaders! Thank you both for your comments, becuase all it is about is bringing awareness and provoking thoughts and I certainly intend to continue this conversation. And btw, self-defense is NOT violence! xoxo~Meredith
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. The stats are sobering. I think it's great for all women to learn to identify a potential attacker, get away, fight back, whatever it takes. A lot of people aren't thinking of worst-case scenarios and are unprepared. I don't want to live in fear either. On a related note, I do carry pepper spray.
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding, Meredith. Don't get me wrong, my reference to the role of men in violence against women was certainly not an implied criticism of the work you're doing, not do I think it is up to one group to tackle these problems from all sides. That was just a general comment. I think it's fantastic that you've taken this bull by the horns with the CFP, and I do think it's positive that the Pepperface project is run by men. And of course I support empowerment for women, at all times, but I suppose we are not all necessarily going to agree on the 'packaging' for that (for want of a better word)...
ReplyDeleteNo worries doll. I think it's great that we can discuss these issues civily and keep the conversation going. It's all awareness. I got mine in the mail a couple of days ago and it is super small, in fact much smaller than I thought it would be which is great, because an attacker would really have a hard time getting that little piece from my grip. We can agree to disagree on this one. I wanted to begin to discuss self-defense for women and stand by my decision to support Pepperface and The National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence who gains proceeds from the sales. We are not a Pepperface affiliate, btw, I have only posted a picture link here gaining nothing from sales they receive from this site. Thanks again for your comments and interest on this topic.~Meredith xoxo
ReplyDelete