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Domestic violence is a crime that leaves many women feeling voiceless, powerless, and alone. One of the most effective ways to end this abusive treatment of women is to speak out against it. While every person’s effort is helpful in ending violence against women, it is most important that the more prominent members of society join the fight against domestic violence and speak out about the cause.

Whether we like it or not, celebrities, athletes, and other prominent figures have a powerful influence over society. Whatever they say or do is news worthy. In order to spread awareness about domestic violence and how to prevent it, we need these high profile people to be on our side, fighting for the cause. Numerous celebrities speak out about various causes and social injustices. The website www.looktothestars.com is dedicated to providing information and identifying celebrities who do charity and social activist work. From Bono to Uma Thurman, individuals from all walks of fame each have their individual causes.

Two celebrities who speak out against domestic violence are Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. Reese Witherspoon recently came to Washington, D.C., to speak at a breakfast meeting of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women in front of the State Department. She is an Avon Global Ambassador, and has promoted the launch of the Avon Empowerment Ring, the profits of which go towards the fight against domestic violence. Nicole Kidman is UNIFEM’s Goodwill Ambassador on Violence Against women. She has spoken at various events, including the groundbreaking ceremony for the Family Violence Prevention Fund’s new International Centre.

This year in particular is a big year for domestic violence policy and legislation. With the introduction of I-VAWA, the International Violence Against Women Act, in the U.S. Congress, the need for celebrity support is greater than ever. I-VAWA aims to authorize $245 million over five years to provide services to women around the world, not just in the United States, in order to economically empower them to be self-sufficient and educated. The I-VAWA includes provisions for increased access to job skills and training, increased education of housing and property rights, improved reporting mechanisms, training for teachers, and increased safety for girls traveling to school. I-VAWA also aims to train military personnel, police, humanitarian workers, and participants in judicial programs on how to respond to violence against women in other countries. Specialists on gender based violence would also be added to disaster response teams. Internationally, women face different issues relating to violence and crimes against them than they do in the United States. While VAWA, which is up for reauthorization this year, aims to address the needs of women in the US, I-VAWA aims to expand the US’s efforts to end violence to women overseas.

Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are leading by example by fighting to end the heinous crimes that are perpetrated against women, not only in poverty-stricken countries, but in our own country as well. These women are using the power and weight that their voices carry in today’s society to help those who do not have a voice. In the coming months of this important year for domestic violence legislation and policy, we must ask other celebrities to do the same.

This posting is part of a series by passionate allies of the cause. This article was written by Sara Aucker, a 2010 Becky's Fund volunteer.