
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 1, 1994                   TAG: 9407010068
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

CAMPAIGN TO TARGET DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

For a few seconds, there's just the sound of a woman's screams. Then, the announcer says: ``If the noise coming from next door were loud music, you'd do something about it.''

A nationwide public service campaign against domestic violence, launched Thursday by The Advertising Council and the Family Violence Prevention Fund, is targeting those who look the other way.

``We don't intervene, because we think it's a private matter,'' said Esta Soler, executive director of the San Francisco-based prevention group. ``We are wrong.'' The violence in our homes is contributing to the violence in our streets.''It's destroying our families and tearing apart our communities.''

The radio, television and print campaign, called ``There's No Excuse,'' encourages neighbors and loved ones to call the police and join community efforts to help battered women and their children. Ads include a toll-free number to call for information: (800)777-1960. Advertising Council chairman Reginald L. Brack said he hopes the effort will effect change, much like the council's ``Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk'' campaign did. Brack, who is CEO and president of Time Inc., said the ads will be distributed to 22,000 media outlets.

The announcement came on the same day that a Los Angeles court began hearing evidence on whether football legend O.J. Simpson should be prosecuted in the deaths of his ex-wife and her male friend.

by CNB