For Immediate Release: 8/14/07

Naples, FL – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is pleased to join with a gathering of concerned men working to help break the cycle of abuse throughout our community in presenting the first annual ‘Gentle’men Against Domestic Violence Luncheon, set for Monday, January 14, 2008, at the Port Royal Club, Naples, and featuring renowned statesmen David Gergen as keynote speaker.

According to Ron McGinty, a founder of the ‘Gentle’men’s event, “Our hope is that in offering men in our community the opportunity to hear a world-class speaker like David Gergen we will provide the Shelter for Abused Women & Children the resources necessary to develop and implement educational programs that specifically target young men to break the cycle of domestic violence.”

Gergen, a White House adviser to four presidents, both Republican and Democrat, offers a vivid, behind-the-scenes account of Presidential struggles in exercising power. Drawing from these experiences Gergen will provide key lessons for Naples’ future leaders as he presents to the expected group of 100 men interested in helping the Shelter coach boys into respectful, non-violent mature young men.

“The sooner we reach some of the 10 million children who witness intimate partner abuse each year, the better,” explains Shelter Director of Programs Jan Christiansen. “If we can educate these young victims of domestic violence, as well as their peers, about healthy ways to deal with their emotions; help them learn to respect themselves and others – especially women – then they will understand that violence never equals strength and we can stop the cycle of abuse.”

The research is startling:

• Up to 10 million children experience domestic violence annually. Exposure to violence in the home is a significant predictor of a child’s future violent behavior.1In homes where partner abuse occurs, children are 1,500 times more likely to be abused.2 Men who witnessed domestic violence as children are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children than those who did not witness domestic violence. 330% of teens report that they or someone they know has experienced dating violence.4
• A study of 8th & 9th graders found that 25% had been victims of nonsexual dating violence.5

Additionally, in a recent poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Family Violence Prevention Fund:

• 57% of men think they can personally make at least some difference in preventing violence, and 73% think they can make at least some difference in promoting healthy, respectful, non-violent relationships. Two in three fathers (68%) have talked to their sons about the importance of healthy, violence-free relationships, and 63% have talked to their daughters.
• 55% percent of the men surveyed have talked to other boys who are not their sons.
  

Christiansen concludes, “As a result of this event, we will be able to develop a program that will provide young men another vision of what it means to be a man, helping change the world for future generations."

Scott Edmonds, CEO of Chico’s, will serve as Honorary Chair for this inaugural event. Membership in the ‘Gentle’men Against Domestic Violence initiative is included with a $1,000/person contribution for this event; please call 239-775-3862, ext. 235 for details. For more information on the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, please call 239-775-3862.

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The Shelter for Abused Women & Children helps adult and child victims and survivors of domestic violence through safety, intervention and support; educates the public about domestic violence; and advocates for social change against domestic violence. For more information, please contact us at 239-775-3862, or visit us online at: www.naplesshelter.org

Media Contact: Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211

Sources: 1 US Department of Justice; 2 American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence; 3,4,5 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence