For
Immediate Release
October
1,1999
Contact:
Melissa Forsythe or Carol E. Jordan (502) 564-2611
Governor
Patton Declares October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
FRANKFORT, KY. - On behalf of the more
than 4600 women and children who were forced to flee their homes during FY 99 to escape
domestic violence, Governor Patton today declared October Domestic Violence Awareness
Month in Kentucky. “Freedom from
violence can’t just be a promise to Kentucky, it must become every citizen’s
blueprint for life,” the Governor said in signing the proclamation.
In recognition of the month, the
Governor and Mrs. Patton will join the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association and the
Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs in hosting a statewide conference
addressing crimes of violence against women. The
conference, entitled Ending Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence: A Blueprint for Peace will be kicked
off by First Lady Judi Patton who will bring a videotaped message of welcome from Vice
President Al Gore. “The hardships
imposed by crimes of violence against women pose a great challenge to Kentucky. On behalf of all victims, we are willing to meet
that challenge and work to end domestic violence,” the First Lady said.
400
participants are expected to attend the conference, including staffs from spouse abuse
centers and rape crisis centers; prosecutor-based victim advocates; mental health
professionals; police officers; prosecutors; judges; and others.
The conference will offer over 50 workshop sessions on topics
including effective legislative advocacy; how to conduct risk assessment; the effects of
domestic violence on a woman’s health; custody and visitation; civil litigation in
violence against women cases; forensic evidence collection; the treatment of offenders;
Megan’s Law; how to operate support groups and therapy groups for victims and
survivors; the effects of domestic violence on children; and several workshops on
prevention and education programs.
The conference will be held October 20-22nd at the Club Hotel by Doubletree in Louisville.
For additional statistical information and lists of programs related to domestic violence, access the web site for the Governor's Office of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services at http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/gov/domviol/toc.htm, or the web site for the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association at http://www.kdva.org/.