Representative Barbara Ballard receives statewide Elected Official Ally of the Year honor

February 21, 2011 – For Immediate Release

Topeka, KS – Representative Barbara Ballard of Lawrence has been recognized by a statewide advocacy organization for being an ally for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Rep. Ballard received the State Elected Official Ally of the Year award from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) during its 8th annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets reception in Topeka.

“We honor Representative Ballard for being an outspoken ally for victims and survivors in her hometown of Lawrence and at the state level as an elected official,” said Joyce Grover, executive director of KCSDV. “Her voice in the legislature keeps these issues at the forefront, ensuring that the issues of violence against women, children and men are considered important public policy issues.”

Throughout her career, Representative Ballard has been committed to improving the lives of women and girls, working with college-aged students, and serving as the Director of the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center at the University of Kansas for 18 years. During her tenure, she was instrumental in a campus-wide survey related to the prevalence of sexual assault and the need for services. She also worked with student leaders to establish a part-time position to promote sexual violence awareness and education initiatives on campus and in the community.

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.