Each day, three women die as a result of domestic violence at the hands of either a current or former male partner. This, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
But domestic violence isn’t just between men and women. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 50 percent of lesbian women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
And according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness.
And only about 25 percent of these assaults are reported to law enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
So many organizations focus on the issue of domestic violence in some way, and still, the problem persists.
Locally, the Family Crisis Center exists in order to help those affected by domestic violence, and sadly, the need for their help hasn’t lessened since their founding. Alas, the best way to prevent this violence is through raising awareness about the hows, whys and wheres that domestic violence occurs, so we can all take a stand against it.
This year, the FCC has an opportunity to bring former NFL great Donald G. McPherson to Great Bend. Since he began his career, McPherson has been speaking about issues that matter to people. But for the past 20 years, his major focus has been men’s violence against women. He has emerged as a national leader and advocate for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence, and students at high schools and colleges all over the country have been particularly receptive to his message.
Last football season, story after story made headlines about pro football players committing violence against their partners and their children. Now, it’s time to hear a great like McPherson talk about this important topic, lending his perspective not only from an athlete’s perspective, but from that of a man and a community member.
McPherson will be at The Crest on Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. We hope every seat is filled, and that every person who attends leaves with a renewed commitment to do all they can to make places like the Family Crisis Center become obsolete.