For more information, contact Laurie Harrison, KCSDV Communications Coordinator at 785-232-9784 or lharrison@kcsdv.org
Safe Homes, Safe Streets Event online www.kcsdv.org/shss.html
Other Speakers include Governor Sebelius, Bob Stephan, and Miss Kansas 2004
Topeka, Kan. - A nationally-recognized activist on issues of violence towards women is coming to Kansas.
"The fundamental push to my advocacy work is to address all forms of violence against women and to engage men in the dialogue," said Don McPherson former pro-football player and current Executive Director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University in Long Island, New York.
"As men we need to be a part of the dialogue confronting the culture of misogyny and sexism," McPherson said.
He is the keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets Awareness Day and Reception February 10 at the Kansas Capitol. It builds on the success of last year's event in which 300 people attended.
McPherson travels the country speaking with coaches, male student athletes, and other young men discussing issues of men's violence towards women, masculinity, sexism, and misogyny.
"In this society we don't talk with men about these issues, we talk at them," McPherson said.
"We discuss who we are as men, how our attitudes support a culture of violence, and how our silence supports the culture of violence," he said. "Language is also important - it's not 'violence against women' it's 'men's violence against women' that is the problem."
Statistics support McPherson's assertions.
U. S. Department of Justice statistics demonstrate that three in four women who reported they had been raped or physically assaulted since age 18 said that a current or former husband, cohabiting partner, or date committed the assault.
In addition, in 2003 in Kansas, men committed more than nine out of ten of the rapes reported to law enforcement and men committed three out of four reported incidents of domestic violence, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The theme of this year's Safe Homes, Safe Streets event is "Putting the Spotlight on Sexual Violence."
Organized by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), the day-long event will include legislative and public awareness activities, a mid-morning press conference and an evening reception.
"Our goal for the event is to bring awareness to the public, and in particular to legislators, about the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence and the benefits of creating a state in which everyone is safe in their own homes and in the streets," said Sandy Barnett, Executive Director of KCSDV.
KCSDV is a statewide network of domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy programs. Its 30 member programs provide support and safety to the victims of battering and sexual assault through direct services.
Other featured speakers at the press conference include Governor Sebelius, Bob Stephan, former Kansas attorney general, and Megan Bushell, Miss Kansas 2004.
The event gives McPherson, Bushell, and KCSDV member programs the opportunity to talk with legislators about how violence against women and children impact their communities.
"We want to help legislators understand the reality of violence in the homes and streets of their own constituencies," said Sandy Barnett, Executive Director of KCSDV. "We want the legislators to realize how many opportunities they have in their districts to make a difference."
A tree with ribbons signifying one week's worth of rapes in Kansas. The difference between reported and unreported rapes will be demonstrated. Ribbons will be added throughout the morning.
Eight to ten silhouettes of the victims of domestic violence in Kansas.
Photo Opportunities: All Displays
* available for interviews immediately following press conference
Photo Opportunities: All Displays, All speakers
Interview Opportunities: Miss Kansas, Don McPherson
Press Kit: Online or available upon request - Contact Laurie Harrison, KCSDV Communications Coordinator at
785-232-9784 or lharrison@kcsdv.org
Photo Opportunities: All Displays, All speakers
Interview Opportunities: Keynote speaker, Co-hosts, Award Recipients
KCSDV is a statewide network of 30 domestic violence and/or sexual assault advocacy programs. KCSDV's member programs provide support and safety to the victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking through direct services.
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