Strike, dance and rise on V-Day

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - One in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime.  The statistics are staggering and it's prompting a moment across the country to call for an end to the violence.  It's called One Billion Rising.

This Valentine's Day will mark the 15th Anniversary of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls. One billion women and those who love them are being asked to walk out, dance, rise up and demand and end to this violence. One billion rising will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers and solidarity across borders.

A local event celebrating the movement, "One Billion Rising: Grand Rapids Style," is taking place on Thursday, February 14 at 5:00 p.m. at Eastern Avenue Hall, located at 506 Eastern Ave. NE in Grand Rapids. Whether you are a mother, sister, brother, father, cousin, grandma, friend, or anyone in between, you are invited for live music, performances and dancing.  Learn the basic steps to a "break the chain" dance by clicking here.

If you know someone who is suffering from domestic or sexual violence please see the resources below:

YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline 616-451-2744

YWCA Sexual Assault Hotline 616-776-7273

Safe Haven Ministries Domestic Violence Program 616-452-6664