Disclaimer: This post and video contain images that may upset sensitive readers.
If you follow Youtube sensation, Lauren Luke, you may have been a bit surprised by her latest video. She wasn’t popping in to do one of her fabulous make-up tutorials, instead, she was sullen faced, covered in bruises, and showing you how to look your best the morning after…a beating.
You read that right. This is just one of the powerful new PSA’s from Refuge, a UK based Anti-Domestic Violence organization, who’s looking to spread the message: Don’t Cover It Up.
The graphic Youtube video show a bruised and battered Luke calmly sharing make-up tips and hair tricks for you to hide the effect of domestic abuse. While the bruises are fake, the message is not.
This is just one in a growing trend of explosive new media and grassroots campaigns for change; leaving cushy, star filled The More You Know commercials in the dust of obscurity and disconnectivity. I find the power behind this #DontCoverItUp movement, and others like it, to be moving, empowering and relatable. Frankly, I was brought to tears watching it.
But, what do you think?
Thousands of women are abused in this country every day. If you or someone you love is a victim of abuse, know that there is help and support.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA)
Love Is Not Abuse (Teen Abuse Organization)
image credit Grazia
Like you, I was moved and felt a lump in my throat! Very somber feeling now… I would say that is effective. Although I don’t know what to do about it now
Just watched it. Super effective.
Hopefully it reaches the right women, and empowers them.
I think it is pretty amazing actually. I think her demeanor really makes the point. She isn’t poking fun or making it funny. She is deadpan serious highlighting the absurdity of the situation with grace. I think the people who made this should get some kind of award. I am really sure how effective flowery happy PSA’s are anymore. People are so used to seeing things bigger and better. However, I think this subdued video was well done and really made its point. Wow.
I agree, and you bring up such a good point. I don’t know that I feel inspired by pretty celebs on television telling me how my life can get better.
But I could relate to this woman. I can relate to all those who make It Gets Better or bullying videos on youtube.
I think the power of the masses and the voice they wiled with the internet has overtaken tradition Hollywood media, and we’re seeing that with these brilliant PSAs.
I agree. I think for the most part no one wants to hear from someone recognizable anymore. Enough people are fed up with anything or anyone that seems fake. I think that is great because I think the average joe/jane has a lot more they can teach us and are much more relatable- they just need the platform. The video you posted not too long ago of the young girl talking about her position on “slut shaming” has stuck with me like glue. I think about it every single time I hear someone say something negative about a women’s body or who she dates. I think I will carry that video with me forever and was a teenager with a webcam, a voice, and some conviction; which meant way more to me than a gltizy commercial from ABC and Eva Longoria (although I think she is adorable).
@Jamie who doesn’t know what to do– TALK ABOUT IT. Domestic Violence thrives in silence. There is so much shame and still stigma around DV. If you see bruising or any behavior that concerns you ASK, TALK, HELP. Know the DV hotlines and shelters in your area.
Wow. I’m just…wow.
I’m so glad she didn’t try to make it upbeat. Just deadpan and sombre.
It’s harder to take the tough things seriously when they are made to sound all cheerful. I like this. I think. I like the message, but cringe at the thought of women who have to deal with it.
I feel sad and sick but think it was very effective. I hope it inspires women being hurt to talk AND that it inspires those who see signs of cover-up to ask, tell, and be the lifeline. Thanks for sharing.
I’m in tears. This was brilliantly done. And I’m going to post a link to a friend’s Facebook wall right now. Perhaps THIS message will get through to her and she will finally leave the man whose hands she suffers from daily. Thank you, Brittany and CGG.
Posting this on the wall of an abused woman will NOT “get the message through to her”. Not the way to go– it may even be dangerous if the abuser sees it on her page. Talk to her and be her support until she is ready to leave.
FYI to all– I’ve worked in DV for 5 years (counseling, shelter and legal) and am not just talking out my ass. I have personal and professional experience.
agreed!
As a DV victim please do not post this on her wall. Amy has the idea, be supportive and have numbers on hand. If she talks about leaving tell her you know how she can get help.
I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to be unclear. Not on her actual Facebook wall. I only posted the video link itself and only onto the military BRATs group wall that we belong to and that I am 100% sure that her partner does NOT belong to. (We are only about 30 people who know each other in real life.) She has posted photos of bruises and complained of not knowing what to do. She knows that she needs to leave but then enables the situation further by being concerned that he has no place to go (she owns the house and he is the boyfriend for the last 10 years.) Alcohol is seemingly a problem with both parties. Still talking to her and still supporting her. Just frustrated that she sees herself through his eyes. She refuses to go to any of the women’s shelters in her area or even get counseling. Thanks for your response, Amy.
The part of this that really made my stomach churn was the last 2 seconds of video, the look on her face, the shutting off of the camera. I feel like the first part could have been about something else related to DV and it still would have gotten me right there. I wish there were more ads like this that shows the reality of how people do cover it up, and how people who seem normal are going through bad stuff.
It breaks my heart that in this day and age, we still are in the dark ages when it comes to how we treat each other. Violence is never the answer. I hope this PSA makes people think.
This made me laugh. Laugh my ass off. I’m so fucking sick of all the bullshit about empowered women; how women are, “Strong, intelligent, beautiful, and feisty,” and then read the never-ending stream of domestic voilence ads. Yes, they are ads. Government and the domestic violence industry are selling this shit like MacD’s sells burgers. And women are stupid, and fall for this crap.
UNBIASED studies which are not bought and paid for by McDomesctic Violence Inc. show that domestic violence is 50-50. Yes, all you empowered women are beating the crap out of your men too. And worse, you lie your fat asses off about domestic violence so you get the poor guy out of your life and your kids’ lives, but take all his posessions and attach his paycheck for ever.
Frankly, as a woman this makes me SICK. I’m sick of all the lies, and sick of the DV bullshit.
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