NO MORE VIOLENCE WEEK HELD AT GREAT FALLS COLLEGE MSU
GREAT FALLS –Dr. Cherie McKeever, science instructor at Great Falls College MSU, has seen how domestic violence affects her students.
Over the last four years, three of her students have had children die from abuse.
“Students are dealing with this all the time and trying to go to school,” McKeever said.
McKeever started thinking about ways to help her students and others in the community who deal with domestic violence. The result was NoMore Violence Week, which will be held April 11-17.
Now in its second year, NoMore Violence Week offers seven days of community presentations, symposiums and panel discussions. The week ends with the 1-mile and 5K Kolor Me 4 Kids Fun Run. All events, except the Fun Run, are free and open to the public. The Fun Run is $25 per person. Kids 10 and younger are free. Continuing education credits are available for some presentations.
“We really want to shine a spotlight on what a huge problem domestic violence is in our community,” McKeever said.
NoMore Violence Week is a community effort. More than 20 different community-based organizations focusing on issues ranging from child abuse, health, and education work together to make the event happen.
Statistics show that four out of 10 women will face domestic violence during their lives.
“If I’m in a classroom with 20 women, I know eight of them will face abuse,” McKeever said. “Nobody wants to talk about this. They look at it as a personal problem. It’s not. It’s a community problem, and the community needs to open the dialogue and end the silence that fosters abuse.”
Some highlights of this year’s NoMore Violence Week include Rita Smith, NFL senior advisor and former executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. On Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall, she will give a presentation titled “Lessons from the NFL: How to Make Communities Safer.”
On Saturday, April 16 at 9 a.m., Windie Lazenko will discuss “Sex Trafficking in Rural America.” A runaway at the age of 13, Lazenko was a sold into a sex trafficking ring. Later, she founded 4her North Dakota, a direct service organization that provides care to victims of Sex Trafficking and Exploitation in the state of North Dakota. The organization works primarily in the Bakken Oil Field, where sexual exploitation and trafficking are a lesser-known dynamic of the oil boom. Lazenko’s talk will be followed by a panel discussion on sex trafficking in Montana.
Sunday is the Kolor Me 4 Kids Fun Run and Fundraiser, a 1-mile and 5-kilometer fun run/walk. Those interested can register for the Kolor Run online at http://www.active.com/great-falls-mt/running/kolor-me-4-kids-2016
For more information, see the full schedule of events during NoMore Violence Week or visit www.facebook.com/NoMoreViolence2016GFC/events.
For more information, contact:
Cherie McKeever
Science instructor, Great Falls College MSU
406.771.4407 or [email protected]
Lewis Card
Executive Director – Development, Communications and Marketing
406-.771.4412 or [email protected]
NoMore Violence Week April 11 – 17, 2016
All events are held at Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16TH Avenue South, in Great Falls.
Monday, April 10
• 9 a.m. Pin Wheel Planting on the campus lawn.
Tuesday, April 12
• Noon – 1 p.m. Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse: Our Response – A presentation by Jessica Bray -RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, and Meghan Johnson RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, with the Cascade County Sexual Assault Response Team at Benefis Healthcare. This educational session targets healthcare providers, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel who may provide the first responses to a victim of abuse requiring a forensic exam. Topics will include domestic violence and child abuse forensic exams. Heritage Hall. (Continuing education credits available).
• 7 – 9 p.m. Everyone Has A Story – Video interview with Jon Krakauer, author of “Missoula” and presentation by Hillary McCrumb, a sexual assault victim in Mr. Krakauer’s book. Presented by the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Offices of Malmstrom AFB/MANG. Heritage Hall.
Wednesday, April 13
• Noon – 1 p.m. Child Abuse Symposium – What YOU Can Do to Stop Child Abuse Round robin: CASA CAN, Dandelion Foundation, Toby’s House, others. Lunch provided by GFC Student Government. Heritage Hall.
• 7 – 9 p.m. Lessons from the NFL: How to Make Communities Safer – Rita Smith, NFL Senior advisor and former executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Heritage Hall.
Thursday, April 14
• Noon – 1:30 p.m. Round Robin Discussion: The warning signs of an abusive relationship;
Mental health, suicide prevention and substance abuse challenges; Child custody and other legal matters Speakers include YWCA, Voices of Hope, Victim-Witness, and Cascade County Law Clinic. Lunch provided by GFC Student Government. Heritage Hall.
• 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The Wounded Helpers: Recognizing and Coping with PTSD and Vicarious Traumatization – Dr. Chris Southall, Clinical Psychologist. For Law Enforcement, Health Care Providers, Social Workers, Military, and Ministry. (Continuing education credits available). Heritage Hall.
• Winners of the Great Falls College Graphic Arts Design Child Abuse Prevention Poster Contest will be announced.
Saturday, April 16 Human Trafficking: Prevention, Hope & Real Change
• 9 – 10 a.m. – Sex Trafficking in Rural America? How to Stand Up and Make a Difference.
Windie Lazenko, Founder of 4her North Dakota. Heritage Hall.
• 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. – Natale Adorni, Montana Law Enforcement Academy. Heritage Hall.
• 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Human Trafficking in Montana: Real Talk, Real Stories, Real Change: Panel Discussion This 90-minute panel presentation will include specific questions related to panel members’ work in prevention of human trafficking across all three levels of prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary) as well as the real-life experiences these experts have had. Audience participation will be strongly encouraged with means for attendees to ask questions prior to and during the panel presentation. Panel members include the CARE Center, Rick and Pat Freeland-Rescue and Safe House, Russ and Darci Darlington-Rescue and Safe House, Windie Lazenko, representatives from County Attorney’s Office, and Natale Adorni. (Continuing education credits available). Heritage Hall.
Sunday, April 17 Kolor Me 4 Kids Fun Run and Fundraiser (1 mile and 5K color run) Sponsored by Great Falls College, University of Great Falls, and the Dandelion Foundation.
• 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Registration at Great Falls College MSU
• 1:30 p.m. Race – 5K will lead off, followed shortly thereafter by the 1 mile. Courses will include both Great Falls College and University of Great Falls’ campuses.
