September 27, 2018

CASA Announces New Brand Identity

News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CASA, Pinellas County’s Largest Certified Domestic Violence Support Agency, is Proud to Unveil its new Logo and Organizational Rebrand

October 1, 2018, St. Petersburg, FL – Formerly recognized by a Bird of Paradise flower and a soft color palette, CASA can now be identified by a bold new logo and tagline. The hand that replaces CASA’s graphic identity expresses action and the breaking of the cycle of violence. The tagline “Stand Up To Silence” is meant to bring awareness to the stigma, shame, and isolation society often creates for survivors of domestic violence.

“Our new logo and tagline better communicate CASA’s approach to domestic violence in our community,” said Lariana Forsythe, CASA CEO. “We want a logo and color palette that conveys strength and empowerment, with a tagline that urges society to no longer turn a blind eye to those experiencing domestic abuse. Through this rebrand, we’re asking the community to stand with us in our work to bring this systemic issue to the forefront so that no survivor feels like they have to live in silence.”

This re-brand is happening at a time when our community has been sent reeling from four separate domestic violence incidences causing the death of nine people in the Tampa Bay area. The common theme with many DV incidences ending in death is the shock and disbelief conveyed by friends, family, and co-workers. Often statements like, “they seemed like a happy couple,” and “I would never have suspected this” are reported in the media without any explanation of how abusers use threats and coercion to ensure their victims will not speak out about what’s really going on behind closed doors.

Domestic Violence is embedded into the very fabric of our society and has long lived in the shadows and privacy of homes. According to the American Psychological Association, on average, three or more women are killed in the US by their husbands or boyfriends every day.

With the Stand Up To Silence rebranding, CASA plans to reach a wider audience by expanding its voice, exploring different education and awareness opportunities, and by inviting the community to engage in our work to shed light on domestic violence.

“We’ve found that as a society we lack the education and tools to disrupt the generational cycle of violence,” said Forsythe. “We plan to announce a series of upcoming informative town-halls at our 22nd Annual Peace Breakfast on October 23, 2018. This series will not only inform the community about how domestic violence affects various demographics but will provide attendees with engagement opportunities to Stand Up To Silence.”

One of CASA’s newest education programs, launching this month, is a Domestic Violence Awareness Training for the Workplace. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 65% of companies don’t have a formal workplace domestic violence prevention policy in place, while 75% of domestic violence survivors report being harassed by abusers at work. CASA plans to offer customized training for employees, HR policy review, and resources to businesses.

This October, CASA’s brand will be displayed at numerous community events in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A calendar of events including CASA’s Candlelight Vigil, The 22^nd Annual Peace Breakfast, and Day of Unity Walk, can be found on CASA’s newly developed website www.casa-stpete.org.

CASA is also encouraging the community to share its message on social media:

• Take the pledge to Stand Up To Silence by adding CASA’s “I pledge to #StandUpToSilence” frame to your Facebook profile picture. Instructions: Click your profile picture, choose “add frame” and search “CASA Stand Up To Silence.”
• You can fill out an “I Stand Up To Silence Because ________________” PDF that can be found at www.casa-stpete.org/newsandevents and share on social media why you are choosing to Stand Up To Silence. Tag @CASAstpete and use the hashtag #StandUpToSilence.

Lastly, the community can Stand Up To Silence year around by donating, volunteering, or purchasing items on CASA’s wishlist on www.casa-stpete.org/GetInvolved.

The new visual identity, tagline and website redesign, was completed by local branding agency Stevie & Fern, as part of their ‘Waves of Change’ program dedicated to empowering the local community.  To see more about this program check out – http://www.stevieandfern.com/#wavesofchange

ABOUT CASA (COMMUNITY ACTION STOPS ABUSE)

CASA provides safety, empowerment and prevention programs to end domestic violence. It is the 501c3 certified domestic violence center based in southern Pinellas County, Florida.

CASA operates the area’s 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter, non-residential programs such as support groups, economic empowerment and legal advocacy, Child Protective Investigative Team support and community and corporate training. In addition, CASA’s Peacemakers teach anti-bullying and healthy relationship curriculum to thousands of children each year in the Pinellas County school system.

www.casa-stpete.org  –  info@casa-stpete.org  –  Office & 24 hour domestic violence hotline: 727-895-4912  /  TTY: 727-828-1269.