FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Rita Peer (202) 268-2126 October 8, 2003 Postal Service Web Site: www.usps.com Stamp News Release Number: 03-056 'STOP FAMILY VIOLENCE' FUNDRAISING STAMP ON SALE TODAY - EVERYWHERE WASHINGTON - A heart-wrenching image of a distraught woman drawn by a child artist is the focal point of the new U.S. postage stamp to raise funds for domestic violence programs and increase awareness about this important social issue. The "Stop Family Violence" semipostal stamp is available at all Post Offices today. A Dedication Ceremony will be held Oct. 11 at noon at INVESCO Field at Mile High, United Club Level, East Lounge, 1701 Bryant Street, Gate 7, Denver, Colo. The ceremony will be free and open to the public. First day of sale cancellations may be obtained today and tomorrow (October 8 and 9) at the National Capitol Post Office, 2 Massachusetts Ave N.E., Washington, D.C., by toll-free telephone order at 1 800 STAMP-24 and by online order at www.usps.com/shop. The Postal Service has printed 125 million Stop Family Violence stamps. "The Stop Family Violence stamp allows every American to contribute to a nationwide effort to end domestic violence," said Donna Peak, controller and vice president of Finance for the Postal Service, who will dedicate the stamp. "By using this stamp on their cards and letters, our customers will help bring before the public eye a problem that is too often ignored." Scheduled to join Peak at the ceremony are Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.); Rita Smith, executive director, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Ellis Burgoyne, district manager, Colorado/Wyoming District, Postal Service. The price of the self-adhesive, non-denominated stamp is 45 cents. As a semipostal, it is valid for postage at the First-Class one-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase, with the difference between the sales price and actual postage consisting of a tax-deductible contribution. Funds raised in connection with sales of the stamp - less the Postal Service's reasonable costs - will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with the Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2001, passed by the 107th Congress and signed into law by President Bush on Nov. 12, 2001. The stamp's striking design and the circumstances that led to its use are rather unusual. Art director Carl T. Herrman selected Monique Blais, a six-year-old girl from Santa Barbara, Calif., to model for the stamp design. The intention was to photograph Blais erasing a domestic violence image - implying eradication of the issue. At one point during a break in the photo session, and without prompting, Blais began drawing her own picture of what she thought best represented domestic violence. Photographed by Philip Channing, Blais' drawing became the basis for the final Stop Family Violence design. To see the Stop Family Violence stamp, visit the Postal Service Web site and open this press release at www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/welcome.htm. The Breast Cancer Research and Heroes of 2001 semipostals, the first semipostals issued in the U.S., and the Stop Family Violence stamp are available at all Post Offices, by toll-free phone order at 1 800 STAMP-24 and online at the Postal Store (www.usps.com/shop). Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by toll-free phone order at 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available at the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop (and to see framed stamp art available for purchase, click on the postalartgallery.com link). Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service visits more than 141 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $68.9 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume - some 202 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year - and serves seven million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide. # # # DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATISTICS " Nearly one-third of American women report physical or sexual abuse by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. In 2001 more than half a million American women were victims of non-fatal violence committed by an intimate partner. On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day. In 2000, some 1,247 women in the United States were killed by an intimate partner. " Pregnant and recently pregnant women are more likely to be victims of homicide than to die of any other cause, and evidence exists that a significant proportion of all female homicide victims are killed by their intimate partners. " Studies suggest that 3-10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually. A 1998 study found that slightly more than half of female victims of intimate violence live in households with children under age 12. Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety and violence toward peers. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution and commit sexual assault crimes. " The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse suggests that domestic violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse and neglect fatalities in this country. " In a national survey of more than 6,000 American families, 50 percent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children. Source: Family Violence Prevention Fund (www.fvpf.org) HOW TO ORDER THE FIRST DAY POSTMARK Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 1 800 STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: STOP FAMILY VIOLENCE SEMIPOSTAL POSTMASTER PO BOX 92282 WASHINGTON DC 20090-2282 After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by Nov. 7, 2003. TECHNICAL DETAILS Issue: Stop Family Violence Item Number: 566100 Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class semipostal Format: Pane of 20 (one design) Series: N/A Issue Date & City: October 8, 2003, Washington, DC 20090 Designer: Carl T. Herrman, Carlsbad, CA Artist: Monique M. Blais, Santa Barbara, CA Art Director: Carl T. Herrman, Carlsbad, CA Photographer: Philip Channing, Santa Barbara, CA Typographer: Carl T. Herrman, Carlsbad, CA Engraver: Keating Gravure Modeler: Avery Dennison, SPD Manufacturing Process: Gravure Printer: Avery Dennison (AVR) Printed at: AVR, Clinton SC, 29325 Press Type: Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK) Stamps per Pane: 20 Print Quantity: 125 million stamps Paper Type: Nonphosphored, type III Gum Type: Pressure-sensitive Processed at: AVR, Clinton SC, 29325 Colors: Yellow, Red, Cyan, Black Stamp Orientation: Vertical Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x1.410 in./21.336 x 35.814 mm Overall Size (w x h): 0.990 x 1.560 in./25.146 x 39.624 mm Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.875 x 7.250 in./149.23 x 184.15 mm Plate Size: 200 Stamps per revolution Plate Numbers: "V" followed by four (4) single digits Marginal Markings: " 2003 USPS" " Price " Plate position diagram Plate numbers (4 per pane) " 4 barcodes on back Header "Stop Family Violence National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799 SAFE (800-799-7233) TTY 1-800-787-3224 or at www.ndvh.org" " Bottom selvage text "The Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2001 directs the Postal Service to transfer the net proceeds from the sale of these semipostal stamps to the Department of Health and Human Services to support domestic violence programs. Each "Stop Family Violence" semipostal stamp is valid for postage at the First-Class Mail ®, first-ounce rate in effect at the time of purchase." Catalog Item Number(s) 566120 Block of 4 - $1.80 566130 Block of 10 - $4.50 566140 Full Pane of 20 - $9.00 566161 First Day Cover - $0.83 566193 Full Pane w/FDC - $9.83