YWCA Week Without Violence: Supporting Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence Until Justice Just Is.

YWCA Northeast Kansas is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. At the YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally, and that some victim-survivors go unrecognized all together. That's why for more than 20 years, we have set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence. The Week Without Violence is part of a global movement to end intimate partner and gender-based violence in all forms. YWCA Northeast Kansas joins YWCA’s across the country to bring awareness to these issues during the week of October 18th-24th.

“We believe that united action is powerful. This year, YWCA Northeast Kansas is heralding the message ‘Until Justice Just Is.’ This moment in time requires us to leverage our collective capacity and courage to identify and address the different ways that bias, prejudice and oppression contribute to domestic violence,” said YWCA Northeast Kansas CEO Kathleen Marker.

Native and Indigenous women, immigrant women, women of color, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities face heightened risks of violence and greater barriers to legal remedies and supportive services due to many complex factors. This year, we will focus on highlighting the effects of domestic violence on marginalized communities, elevating the stories of survivors, engaging with policymakers, and raising awareness of domestic violence in our community with a common goal in mind: to educate, engage and empower until justice just is for all survivors.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, most of the Week Without Violence events will be held virtually this year. The week of public events begins on Monday, October 19th at 2:30 PM with a special webinar hosted by YWCA USA, “Ending Violence Against All Womxn.” In this webinar, attendees will hear from leaders of organizations across the nation who are working to eliminate violence against all women and their communities by providing facts and stats, debunking myths about domestic violence, and providing resources to help survivors thrive. To register, visit: https://ywcaweekwithoutviolence.org/.

On Wednesday, October 21st from 1:00-2:30 PM, YWCA is partnering with the Washburn University Campus Victim Advocate for a co-facilitated virtual discussion, “How to Support a Survivor When Calling the Police Is Not an Option.” 

On October 22nd at 5:00 PM, step into the shoes of a survivor and join us for a special Empower Hour as we take a virtual tour of the survivor services offered through the Center for Safety and Empowerment, including the new Emery Apartments, the Truth House, and our administrative offices.

The energy of the week will culminate at the annual Rally at the Capitol on Friday, October 23rd at 11:30 AM on the South Steps of the Kansas State Capitol. This year, we will hear from YWCA CEO Kathleen Marker, local grief counselor and public speaker Phelica Glass, and Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla who will shine a light on the devastating impact of domestic violence in marginalized communities and highlight the crucial justice-oriented work that YWCA Northeast Kansas does every day. Custom-made face masks sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas will be provided to guests (while supplies last).

To learn more and to register for Week Without Violence events, visit www.ywcaneks.org/wwv2020.

The YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, formerly the Battered Women Task Force, has provided vitally important services to victim-survivors of sexual and domestic violence for over 40 years. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, court advocacy, public education, and case management. The organization provides services to thousands of survivors each year, providing direct services to over 3,000 survivors, taking over 2,500 hotline calls and sheltering over 300 women, men and children annually. Find out more about how to get involved in our mission here: www.ywcaneks.org

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the 24-hour crisis line: 1-888-822-2983