KCAVP Leads Local Effort to Recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Written by Doug Riley

Friday, 03 October 2003

Kansas City, MO (October 3, 2003) – October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) – the area’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing previously unmet services and ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Kansas City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community – is sponsoring a series of citywide events to recognize this month.

MATTHEW SHEPARD: VIGIL TO END VIOLENCE

Date: Sunday, October 12th

Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Place: Unity Temple on the Plaza

The vigil – which includes a candlelight remembrance for Matthew Shepard and other victims of domestic violence and hate crimes – is hosted by KCAVP and also supported by The National Conference for Community and Justice. Offerings are welcome, but are not necessary for participation.

LGBT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Date: Monday, October 20th

Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Place: Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Kansas City

Guided by local domestic violence experts and LGBT community leaders, this public forum provides an opportunity to have an open dialog about the realities of LGBT domestic violence, as well as what the Kansas City community can do to help address and prevent these crimes. Donations are welcome, but are not necessary for participation.

KCAVP PURPLE RIBBON BREAKFAST

Date: Friday, October 24th

Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Place: KCPT Community Room

A fundraiser to benefit KCAVP, this event features a keynote speaker from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, headquartered in New York City. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Participants can select from a variety of funding levels.

Doug Riley, executive director of KCAVP, explains, “Our goal this month is to increase awareness and understanding about how domestic violence affects the greater Kansas City area and its LGBT community.” Riley adds, “An important part of KCAVP’s mission is to educate our community. These events will provide that education and promote greater awareness by shedding light on the current gap in services for LGBT victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and presenting Kansas Citians with a meaningful way to help KCAVP close this gap.”

For more information about KCAVP, the events planned during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month or how to participate, call 816-561-0550 or visit http://www.kcavp.org.

KCAVP is a Missouri nonprofit corporation committed to providing services, advocacy and education for LGBT-related domestic violence and sexual assault within the five counties that encompass the metropolitan Kansas City area. KCAVP is a member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) as well as the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV).