The Avon Foundation for Women has announced the launch of #SeeTheSigns, a global social media campaign aimed at educating the public about the signs of domestic violence.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence — an international campaign designed to raise awareness of gender violence that runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 through International Human Rights Day on December 10 — the foundation will post information provided by grantees such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and Safe Horizon about the signs of domestic abuse on Facebook and Twitter. Supported through the Avon Foundation’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, the campaign will work to educate men and women about the signs of abuse so that victims and their friends and family can recognize domestic violence and seek help or safely intervene in the situation.

According to an Avon Foundation-funded study (10 pages, PDF), 60 percent of Americans age 15 and older know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, while 80 percent believe it is a problem in our society. However, only three-quarters (73 percent) of Americans have discussed the issue with their children, while more than half have never discussed it with their friends. Two-thirds of respondents said that if Americans talked more about domestic violence and sexual assault, it would be easier for them to help someone, while 75 percent said they would step in to help a stranger.

"The lack of conversation about domestic violence keeps the epidemic hidden," said actress Megan Fox, an Avon Instinct fragrance spokesperson. "With #SeeTheSigns, the Avon Foundation hopes to create a global movement to encourage and motivate people to share and educate others about the signs of abuse so we can break this epidemic of violence."