12for12k Supports Jodi’s Voice to Combat Stalking
Two years ago, I wrote about virtual stalking and how it was becoming an increasing problem in social media. The comments in that post, and the examples shared by readers of it, showed that it was probably a bigger problem than even I thought it was.
Two years later, I’m honoured that our social media-led charity initiative 12for12k is once again helping to raise funds and awareness for an organization right at the heart of the problem of stalking.
Jodi’s Voice
Jodi’s Voice is an organization led by the amazing Angela Daffron. I’m a little biased in my description of her, as I consider her a good friend, but the determination and strength in feeling she has about Jodi’s Voice, and the serious issues it deals with, make her pretty inspiring.
Jodi’s Voice was set up out of tragedy. It was named after Jodi Sanderholm, who was murdered by a stalker that had been watching her for ten years. Jodi was only 19 when she died – which meant she had been watched by her killer since she was only nine years old.
Sadly, this is commonplace among stalking victims. Many victims begin being stalked when they are young. In Canada, for example, 11% of women aged 15 and older have been stalked. In the U.S., 14 in every 1,000 women of 18 and above are victims of stalking.
And these are only the reported ones.
Sadly, for Jodi, it was too late, although her memory lives on in her family. Her sister gave birth to the family’s first grandchild while Jodi was missing, and her brother became a police officer to help others.
And through the organization Jodi’s Voice, we can help make sure Jodi’s tragic death is one that helped change the way the law deals with stalkers.
How You Can Help
On June 23, Jodi’s Voice will be having a massive event in Las Vegas called Fight Stalking in partnership with Sky Combat Ace. Celebrities from the world of entertainment will be going up against each other in aerial combat. Supporters of each celebrity can back their champions with donations and messages of support, and the funds raised will go to Jodi’s Voice.
For 12for12k, we’re looking to achieve the following, and this is where we need your awesome support! Between now and June 23, you can help in these ways:
- If you or someone you know has been the victim of stalking and you wish to share your story, share in the comments (anonymously if you prefer) or on our Facebook page.
- Add a 12for12k Twibbon to your Twitter or Facebook profile picture. Details can be found here along with instructions on how to change your picture.
- Write a blog post of your own, and either share your story or highlight what we’re trying to achieve for Jodi’s Voice. You can either link back to this post, or the main Jodi’s Voice page on the 12for12k website.
- Make a donation to Jodi’s Voice, a full 501(c)3 registered charity (we’re talking with a few organizations to make a matching grant). You can use the ChipIn widget below, and it will go direct to Jodi’s Voice and you will receive a tax receipt (payments can be made via Paypal or credit card) – just click on the green ChipIn button. You can also embed the widget on your own blog by using the Copy option.
- Embed the video below on your blog or share the link on Twitter and Facebook, and help raise awareness of some of the statistics around stalking.
These are just a few ways you can help. You can also share this with your friends and family, and we’ll be giving you more details soon on the event and other ways to help, as well as follow our 12for12k Twitter stream or Like our Facebook Page for more information.
Thanks guys – you’ve always been amazing in your support, and Jodi’s Voice is a cause that can really make a change with your voices too.
31 Responses to “12for12k Supports Jodi’s Voice to Combat Stalking”
Hi there Kim,
I hear you – I’m a father, and I hope there’s a better world waiting for my kids. Hopefully with people like Angela, you and everyone that cares, there will be.
Danny recently posted…. Why I’m Hesitant About Triberr
hi Danny,
it is so good for you to bring this to light and what angela has done through Jodi’s Voice. jodi’s story is very sad and today so many people are also cyber-stalked which is worse because some people don’t even know it is happening.
Gabz
Gabriella recently posted…. Google Launches Groupon CompetitorHi Gabriella,
That’s the thing – even some innocuous flirting at the office can lead to something less innocent. It’s a ad state of affairs, and kudos to Angela for trying to make a difference.
Danny recently posted…. Why I’m Hesitant About Triberr
Hi Danny,
Jodi is not the sole one suffering from such issues. However, I personally believe that the cyber laws all over the world need to be made more strict in order to protect innocent surfers from being stalked.
Hi “ninja”,
You’re right – others than Jodi suffer from this crime every day, as the statistics show.
We’re supporting Jodi’s Voice because the organization is trying to get legislative change (they already have in two states). If they can achieve that, hopefully the rest of the world can change too.
And hopefully that will stop tragedies like Jodi’s death and make everyone safer.
Danny recently posted…. Why I’m Hesitant About Triberr
Kudos to you and others who are raising awareness of this problem and the tragedy that sparked this initiative.
I had no idea it was so prevelant. Although I am in Australia and not in US/Canada, I’m sure there would be similar stats here. Hope the fund raising and raising of awareness goes some way to combating this.
Patricia Perth Australia
Hi there Patricia,
Agreed, it’s definitely a worldwide issue – we’re trying to gather stats to show how it breaks down across the globe.
Hopefully by all highlighting it, we can show it’s not acceptable to have even just one case.
Thanks, miss!
Danny recently posted…. Why I’m Hesitant About Triberr
Danny this post is so touching. I cannot put into words how sad I feel that this Ms. Dafforn had to go through losing her daughter at all-let alone this way.
I do agree with you that the accurate path to take would be to set laws, requirements, and regulations to go after these situations. As sad as it is to say, usually the “heart method” won’t overcome a corporation (such as Twitter, or even Rip-Off report for that matter) need to lower costs and increase profits.
That being said, in a similar fashion record companies,certain artists, and movie firms sure have done A LOT to further the legal ramifications behind illegal downloading.
Implementing things like lawsuits, ISP banning, and strict legal ramifications for incidents like this could be a good start to a long campaign that can put an end to things like this. For example, the stories I’ve heard about people who have done this for year make me wonder, “why didn’t anyone cut off his internet connection in this process? Why can’t his name be somehow blacklisted for using an internet connection?”
Jerry Nihen recently posted…. Selling on Social Media – The Relationship MythHi Jerry,
Jodi wasn’t Angela’s daughter, though she knew Jodi very well and was a personal friend of the family.
I agree, there has to be better ways to track online movements and put a stop to that side of stalking. Then the laws need to be better on the offline front.
It’s probably not going to happen overnight; but it needs to happen.
Cheers, mate.
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
Danny,
This is a moving post, and a great cause. You inspired me to take action and write my own post. The link is in the ComLuv below.
Thanks for the inspiration and for your selfless work!
Adam Toporek recently posted…. Nonprofit Spotlight: Jodi’s Voice and Stalking LegislationThanks, sir, really appreciate your support and willingness to step up – that’s all anyone can ever ask for, mate, so thank you.
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
When I was a freshman in college, there was a period where I got a lot of abusive phone calls and voice mail messages. At one point, the caller said they knew where I lived and threw a snowball at my window. I don’t think I have ever been more scared in my life, though in retrospect I have figured out it was very probably orchestrated by the girls who lived in my hall and the icky guys they hung out with.
That sensation alone was frightening. I can’t imagine what people go through who are truly being stalked and abused that way. It is hard to grasp.
Thanks for shining the light on Jodi’s Voice, Danny. I’ll do my best to help.
margie clayman ( recently posted…. Social Media and the JournalistWow, Margie, that’s scary. Like you say, it may have been the girls in your hall – but it may not have, as well, and sadly we never know until it’s too late.
Thanks for your support, as ever miss – really appreciate it.
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
Jody’s story is sad and touching, Danny. The video you have here also presents alarming statistics that should be known by a lot of people. People should be made aware of these facts and you are doing a great job, mate. Kudos!
Wes Towers recently posted…. Your Articles Suck because Your Headlines Suck!Thans, Wes, and completely agree. And these are just some stats for North America – I’d hate to see how bad it could be when you extend it globally.
Cheers for your support, mate.
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
A very sad story. I just can’t understand why some people do such horrible things. I’m also a father and I want my kids to live in a better world. Thank you so much for sharing this post Danny.
Extreme John recently posted…. Weekly Link Dump 32: Small Business Tips And Hot WordPress PluginsAgreed, mate – I know as I read up on Jodi and the laws around stalking, I had a mix of anger, disgust, sorrow and more. I can’t imagine how something like this must feel, which is why it’s a no-brainer to support.
Thanks, mate.
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
Hey Danny, that was a very moving post here. I’m all for changing the concerns that have been raised here.
I feel we all need to change the world by first changing ourselves. I may have said it before, but I recall the quote from Mother Teresa, “If everyone would only clean their doorstep, the whole world would be clean”
If we all take the time to change ourselves, the whole world would be changed
Stuart recently posted…. Value 101: Part 9True, mate.
Part of me wonders, though, how we change those that either clearly need help (and don’t get it) or are simply psychotic (though not necessarily in a medical way)?
I don’t know… but it’s a sad world we have to live in in the meantime.
Danny recently posted…. NumbersThat’s the thing Danny, we can’t ‘force’ anyone else to change.
All we can do is shine our lights from within, so that the surrounding darkness is melted away
Stuart recently posted…. The Force That Drives
Hey Danny, man this was touching. Thank you for speaking up and out about this issue.
I’ve made a small donation.
Now I finally know what the 12 for 12 is about on your Twitter Pic!
I hope you’ve been well Danny! I loved your ebook!
Jk Allen recently posted…. Bring the Hustle to the BustleHey there Jk,
Thanks, sir, really appreciate your support, and everything counts, so thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the ebook, mate, will have to catch up and hear all the details of your Disney vacation!
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
Sometimes we get so caught up in business, marketing, sales, marketing,… that it’s good to get a reminder of how relative it is what we’re all doing. I’m glad we can regularly use our social media presence and marketing powers for good causes too. It’s nice to give something in return.
Wim
Wim recently posted…. Buying Motives – Why Your Customers Buy What They BuyAmen to that, Wim. It’s easy to forget that we’re all human beings behind our game faces – here’s to being able to help one another.
Danny recently posted…. Numbers
Hi, Danny.
When I see such statistics as the ones in the video here in your post, I get tears in my eyes. There is so much violence in the world today that it makes me wonder what will happen in the future when it is my children’s turn to go out and explore the world.
This is a great thing you are doing, Danny. I wish I could do more than just share links on Twitter and Facebook. If you can think of something that I can do to help, please let me know.
Kim Davies recently posted…. 3D Rendering – The Art of Making Clients Happy