The project was originally developed by the Norwegian Red Cross Youth section and today has a global network of countries participating in the project. The idea for the project came after a terrible act of violence was committed at the Central Station in Oslo, Norway when a young man was brutally murdered. At the scene of his death there was a hand shaped bloodstain on the wall where his palm had been. This incident inspired the Norwegian Red Cross to create a campaign against violence where people all over Norway left their handprints on big pieces of cloth as a sign that they wanted the violence to stop.

The Norwegian Red Cross youth section decided to launch a nationwide movement, symbolized by the image of a handprint and the words stopp volden (stop violence), to curb and prevent violence.

The movement aims to change people's attitudes, combat the spread of violence and help victims. Over 200,000 people have committed themselves to take a stand against violence, and what began as a local initiative is becoming an international campaign as Lithuania, Guatemala (English / Spanish), Colombia, and Lebanon launch national 'Stop Violence' programmes.

See more about this activity in the web section focusing on the Action to Reduce Discrimination.

If you want to be a part of this work against violence, you can contact the Norwegian Red Cross ( +47 22 05 40 00) for more information.

Other useful links:

• Stopp Volden main web site - in Norwegian
• Other Activities of the Norwegian Red Cross Youth - in English
• Stop Violence in Denmark