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Read the press release here.

Men to 'Pamper' Victims of Domestic Violence in Bed-Stuy for Mother's Day

 Domestic violence victims will get a day of pampering for Mother's Day.
Domestic violence victims will get a day of pampering for Mother's Day.
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Shutterstock/Valua Vitaly

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A group of about 20 men will honor survivors of domestic violence with a Mother's Day filled with "pampering" in Bed-Stuy, organizers said.

Jericho Road, an anti-domestic violence nonprofit, will work with 20 women from the Urban Resource Institute, Safe Horizon, Volunteers of America and a local Bed-Stuy women's shelter to give a full makeover and massage on May 10, one day before Mother's Day, organizers said.

The idea behind the event, entitled "A Gift From Him to Her," is to show that men have a place in the fight against domestic violence, program director Carl Joseph said.

"Women have been in the trenches fighting domestic violence for years," Joseph said. "Here are some men saying, 'We want to be allies, and we understand your pain.'"

Jericho Road was founded in 2000 by Elena Bascom, herself a domestic violence survivor. Her son, Antonio Bascom, helped plan the daylong event at The Bishop, an art gallery at 916 Bedford Ave.

In addition to the 20 women from local shelters, other survivors of domestic violence are encouraged to walk in for a new hairstyle, makeup and nails and a free massage, Joseph said.

Beauty product vendors will also be on hand, including Mary Kay cosmetics and Nubian Heritage skin and hair products, organizers said.

The hope is that men and women alike come to realize that domestic violence is a problem that needs to be addressed by all people, Joseph said.

"It's not a women's issue," he said. "How do you exclude the man from this situation?"