We must do more for victims. We can do more for victims.
Those were the key messages of KCSDV's third annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets Awareness Day and Reception on February 9, 2006 in Topeka, Kan.
"Recent proposed legislation is focused on enhancing penalties and oversight of convicted sex offenders - well today we focus on victims," said Sandy Barnett, executive director at KCSDV, during the morning press conference. "Harsher punishments for convicted sex offenders will only work if there are victims willing to report and participate in the criminal justice system."
More than 350 people attended the day's activities, which also included public awareness activities by advocates, visits with legislators and an evening reception. The day was made possible by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas and the Shumaker Family Foundation.
The keynote speaker, the Reverend Al Miles, stressed that people could do more for victims by partnering.
"Partnerships offer the best avenue for safety, healing for victim-survivors and accountability for batterers," Miles said. "It's vital that we join together - the advocacy community, the business community and the faith community - because we are strongest when we work together."
Other speakers included Juliene Maska on behalf of Governor Kathleen Sebelius; Attorney General Phill Kline; Graham Bailey and Marlou Wegener from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas; Lorrie Gfeller, KCSDV Vice President of Programs; and Kathy Williams, KCSDV Vice President of Advocacy.
The evening reception featured Al Miles and recognized outstanding advocates.
Gina Cooper with The Crisis Center in Manhattan, and Tom Myers, a mental health professional who works with SOS, Inc. in Emporia, received the Juliene Maska Outstanding Advocate and Ally of the Year Award, respectively. Also recognized were three advocates who have been working in the violence against women's movement for at least 25 years: Judy Davis, LaDora Lattimore and Susan Moran.
The following provided donations for the event:
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas
- Chocolate Elegance
- Community National Bank
- Kansas Department of Corrections Victim Services
- Goose One
- Goose Too
- Dwight Menke
- The Shumaker Family Foundation
- Sunflower State Bakery
- Ron and Diane Rupert
- Wheatfields
Visit www.kcsdv.org/pkshss.html for information on last year's event.
Back to top of page.
Back to previous page.
XHTML | CSS | 508 | Accessibility Statement
If you have comments about the design of this website, please contact our web designer.