For Immediate Release: 12/12/07

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.

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 an audience of men interested in helping the Shelter coach boys into respectful, non-violent mature young men.

“Just as David Gergen is a leader in his field,” explains Shelter Director of Programs Jan Christiansen, “the Shelter is working with leaders in our local community to develop an initiative that will help boys grow into ‘Gentle’men, becoming the leaders of their generation by sharing a message of life without violence and developing respect for themselves, their partners and friends.”

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.1
• In 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. 3
• 30% 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.
  

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. 205, 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