5 Things You Need to Know about the Nonprofit Knock Out Abuse
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 20 people per minute in the United States experience physical abuse at the hands of their romantic partners. This equals about 10 million incidents of domestic violence per year, with millions of victims experiencing abuse multiple times. Overall, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence against themselves by an intimate partner.
Knock Out Abuse (KOA), a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, is one of many organizations striving to eliminate domestic violence and provide resources for victims. Serving DC as well as Maryland and Virginia, KOA has provided transformational support to over 35,000 women and children since its inception in 1993. Here is a closer look at the organization and how it has helped domestic violence victims break the cycle of abuse.
1. It was established by Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen.
Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen co-founded KOA in 1993 with the goal of helping women and children who had survived domestic abuse in their local area. They hosted a small fundraising dinner with fewer than 40 women who combined to raise nearly $8,000 for a local shelter. Masri, an award-winning graphic designer and advertiser, continues to lead KOA as president, while Sorensen, now living in Los Angeles, leads KOA West.
KOA’s leadership team also includes Patricia Coleman (treasurer and auction co-chair), Ellen Blankenstein Spiegel (auction co-chair), Bobette Gillette (executive director), and Mingshi Liu (event coordinator).
2. It has had a powerful impact.
Since procuring close to $8,000 at its inaugural fundraising dinner in 1993, KOA has raised more than $12 million for organizations that provide direct support to victims of domestic violence. Together, its charitable partners provide comprehensive support services for women and children that include counseling, legal assistance, financial education, job training, and long- and short-term housing.
KOA also strives to raise awareness for domestic violence and its unfortunate prevalence in society. Its Young Professionals Committee is particularly involved in this aspect, organizing community service projects to benefit survivors of domestic violence.
3. It hosts numerous charitable events.
KOA hosts an annual fundraising gala each year to support its charitable partners. Unfortunately, the gala was canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and hasn’t taken place in either 2021 or 2022. Before the pandemic, KOA held the Annual KOA Gala Dinner for 26 consecutive years. Sponsors at its most recent gala could choose from sponsorship levels ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Sponsors included Grace & Morton Bender, Embassy of the State of Qatar, the Marion and Robert Rosenthal Family Foundation, and Children’s National.
The organization typically raises hundreds of thousands of dollars at its KOA Gala Dinner. It raised more than $700,000 in 2017 at its 24th annual event, which was attended by public servants like Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D), and Washington, DC, mayor Muriel E. Bowser. The dinner event features dancing and personal stories from survivors. In 2017, Rep. Dingell spoke about her abusive father and shared memories of one unforgettable night.
“He snapped,” Dingell said of her father that night. “I kept my parents from killing each other. I called the police and they wouldn’t come. We hid in a closet and we were convinced that that was the night that we were going to die. I’ll never forget that night, that sense of hopelessness.”
4. It works with a variety of service partners.
KOA donates the money it raises to the following direct service providers: Bethany House of Northern Virginia (BHNV), Crossway Community, The DC Volunteer Lawyer Project, and Safe Shores. A Christian ministry in Fairfax County, BHNV provides women with short-term housing and restorative care so they can escape abuse and achieve independence. Crossway offers housing in a safe and supportive environment with on-site educational services for children. The DC Volunteer Lawyers Project provides pro bono legal services for victims of domestic violence at at-risk children, while Safe Spaces is a trauma-informed advocacy organization that strives to address the root cause of patriarchal violence via initiatives such as Rethink Masculinity.
5. It helps people help friends experiencing domestic violence.
KOA also offers a variety of tips and resources on its website for those who want to help their loved ones escape domestic violence. If a friend or family member is in an abusive relationship or is experiencing domestic violence, they can call the domestic violence hotline (1–800–799-SAFE) or the KOA office (202–813–9161). Those in immediate danger should call 911.
If you want to provide emotional support to loved ones or convince them to seek help, first it’s important to help them recognize the abuse and understand it isn’t acceptable. Be sure to tell them that the situation they’re in isn’t their fault and that they deserve a healthy and loving relationship.
From there, you can help them develop a safety plan, which might include figuring out a quick escape route from the house and a “go-bag” of essential items and medications. Remember to be supportive, understanding, and nonjudgmental. Letting them know you care and are willing to help is the best thing you can do.
