Gala invitation from Christine Grant

& RVAP stakeholders:

4/25/18

Dear all,

A few years ago, I read a statement that stopped me in my tracks:

"Gender violence is one of the world's most common human rights abuses. Women worldwide aged 15 through 44 are more likely to die or be maimed because of male violence than because of: malaria + war + traffic accidents...combined."

- Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

Since that time I have tried to research this problem and the more I find out, the greater becomes my belief that violence against women is a world problem that has been and still is largely ignored. It seems as though these atrocities are generally met with a shrug of the shoulders, as if these attacks against half of the world's population do not qualify as worthy of our immediate attention or action.

The purpose of this letter is to ask if you please support the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) by sponsoring or attending a celebration of the 45th anniversary of the organization's founding. This celebration will be held at the Levitt Center on Thursday, 3rd May, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

I served on the Advisory Board of the RVAP for 10 years and know first-hand how vital this service is to our University and to our community, which it also serves. I also know that financial assistance from the University, while much appreciated, is minimal when one considers the magnitude of the problem.

Last year, state funding to RVAP was significantly slashed and even though the staff and volunteers have done an outstanding job of trying to meet the needs of all those who require assistance they need our help. This event on 3rd May is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to promote awareness of the RVAP and encourage support for its goals. On behalf of RVAP and all of the stakeholders listed below, we thank you very much for consideration of this request.

With many thanks,

Christine Grant