Johnson County man receives statewide Ally of the Year honor

February 21, 2011 – For Immediate Release

Topeka, KS – Brian Porch, domestic violence court advocate in the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, has been recognized by a statewide advocacy organization for his 20-years of dedication on behalf of victims of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Brian received the State-Level Ally of the Year award from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) during the 8th Annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets reception in Topeka on February 9.

“Brian has dedicated many years and has impacted the lives of thousands of Johnson County victims by providing an empathetic response to victims of domestic violence, validating their experiences and assisting them in accessing vital services within the first 24 to 48 hours of the incident,” said Joyce Grover, executive director of KCSDV. Brian averages four to six cases daily, for an annual caseload average of more than 1,000. Brian also works as a trainer on domestic violence issues for the police academy and the police department. He traveled the state with KCSDV staff, providing training for community-based and prosecutor-based advocates on responding to domestic violence, and he serves as mentor for prosecutor-based victim advocates statewide.

“Brian is not content to only focus on crisis intervention efforts. He believes that sexual and domestic violence are preventable and he is a champion of primary prevention efforts. Brian is the go-to guy for anyone who is interested in learning how to engage men and boys in the efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women,” said Grover. Using the “Coaching Boys to Men” program, Brian delivers workshops in partnership with his local parks and recreation department for all coaches in the community-based athletic programs in his community. Brian has trained more than 600 coaches on how to promote positive models of masculinity for young men and women, in addition to the workshops that he’s presented to neighboring communities and for various annual conferences.

Since 1995 KCSDV has been recognizing outstanding advocates and allies who are working to enhance victim safety, to increase perpetrator accountability, and to prevent and eliminate sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in Kansas. In addition to the Advocate, Ally and Volunteer of the Year awards, several advocates and volunteers were honored with Years of Service awards, including: 47 advocates with five years, 14 advocates with 10 years, three advocates with 15 years, one advocate with 20 years, and one with 30 years of service.