KCSDV’s 17th Annual Advocacy Day: Experts From Across the State Gather at the Kansas Statehouse on Wednesday, February 12, 2020

TOPEKA, Kan. – Over 200 people are expected to attend the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV)’s 17^th Annual Advocacy Day on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 in the Kansas Statehouse. The goal of the event is to increase public awareness and knowledge of sexual and domestic violence and victim services in Kansas.

In 2019, nearly 70,000 victims of sexual and domestic violence and stalking received victim services in Kansas through the 26 direct services providers.

The theme this year is #SomeoneYouKnow. Statistics show that sexual and domestic violence impacts #SomeoneYouKnow.

• Domestic violence: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been a victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner.
• Sexual Violence: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Stalking: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men reported being a victim of stalking in their lifetime.

KCSDV’s coalition member programs from across the state will be present to educate and increase knowledge on the breadth and depth of services their organizations provide to victims, survivors, and their communities every day. Service providers will each have a table on the first floor of the rotunda in the Kansas Statehouse.

A Silent Witness Ceremony and Program is at 11-11:30 a.m. on the second floor of the rotunda in the Kansas Statehouse. The ceremony and program will honor Kansas women who lost their lives through sexual and domestic violence as well as all victims and survivors and their families and communities.

Speakers include KCSDV Executive Director Joyce Grover, Mayor of Topeka Michelle De La Isla, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Manager of Community Relations Marlou Wegener.

The ceremony and program will take place within the Silent Witness Display Exhibition. The exhibition includes over 57 life size displays, each showing a silhouette and a true story of a Kansas woman who lost her life via sexual and domestic violence.

Event Schedule on Wednesday, February 12, 2020:

Services Providers Tabling

9 – 3:30 p.m.

First Floor, Rotunda, Kansas Statehouse

Silent Witness Display Exhibition

9 – 3:30 p.m.

Second Floor, Rotunda, Kansas Statehouse

Silent Witness Ceremony and Program

11 – 11:30 a.m.

Second Floor, Rotunda, Kansas Statehouse

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas is a cosponsor of the Silent Witnesses. 

For more information about KCSDV’s 17^th Annual Advocacy Day, contact Lucca Wang at lwang@kcsdv.org and 785-633-6648.

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