National Experts Speak on Racial and Economic Equity

TOPEKA, Kan. – On Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30-31, national experts on racial and economic equity, accountability, and justice within the sexual and domestic violence field are speaking at the 3^rd Biennial Kansas Conference for Ending Sexual and Domestic Violence in Lawrence. An awards luncheon on Wednesday recognizes exceptional work in Kansas to prevent and end sexual and domestic violence.

Guest speakers are Zoë Flowers and Sumayya Coleman of the Women of Color Network, Inc. and Lisalyn Jacobs and Sara Wee of the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice. They will present about how to better serve all victims and survivors, especially women of color, by recognizing racial and economic injustice, acknowledging our own biases, and incorporating an anti-oppressive framework. The guest speakers are partners on the national collaborative Racial & Economic Equity for Survivors Project and contributing authors of the recent 2018 report, Showing Up: How We See, Speak, and Disrupt Racial Inequity Facing Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence. The report reflects tools, strategies, and language to more effectively engage issues of race, racism, equity, and inclusion as they arise in the work of domestic violence and sexual assault advocates and other professionals.

Although sexual and domestic violence impacts everyone, the violence disproportionately impacts those who are most marginalized in our society. Women living in poverty are nearly twice as likely to experience domestic violence, and people of color are more likely to live in poverty.

About 150 multi-disciplinary professionals from across the state are expected to attend. Conference attendees include organizational leaders, attorneys and prosecutors, victim advocates, educators and researchers, child welfare professionals, medical and social work professionals, law enforcement, and other professionals working to prevent and end sexual and domestic violence.

In addition to the nationally recognized speakers, the conference will have over 15 learning sessions, concentrating on engaging underserved communities, economic justice, campus work, community engagement, and prevention education.

At the awards luncheon on Wednesday, July 31, the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) will present awards for innovative sexual and domestic violence services and advocacy in Kansas, including:

• Project of the Year
• Juliene Maska Advocate of the Year
• State-Level Ally of the Year
• State-Level Elected Official Ally of the Year

KCSDV is hosting the conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Lawrence. Sponsors of the conference include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, Westar Energy Foundation, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka.

Learn more about the conference on KCSDV’s website at http://kcsdv.org.

Learn more about the Women of Color Network, Inc. at https://wocninc.org/ and the Center for Survivor Agency & Justice at https://csaj.org/.

–End–

###

The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV)’s mission is to prevent and eliminate sexual and domestic violence. Find more information on KCSDV’s website at http://kcsdv.org.

The 24-hour Kansas Crisis Hotline is 888-END-ABUSE (888-363-2287).