Scott Brown and Andre Dubus III Team with the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center to End Violence Against

March 5, 2013 - PRLog -- NEWBURYPORT, Mass., March 5, 2013 – On Tuesday, April 2, 2013, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center hosts its “White Ribbon Breakfast” where former Senator Scott Brown and best-selling author Andre Dubus III will have a conversation that challenges negative, outdated concepts of manhood, will inspire men and boys to get involved and work together to end violence against women and girls.

“As we strive to end violence against women and girls in our society, it is critically important that men and boys be actively involved in that effort.The White Ribbon Breakfast provides men and women in our community with a unique opportunity to hear from two prominent men, whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. Senator Brown and Andre Dubus will lead us through a conversation that will challenge men and boys to take action in bringing an end to violence against women and girls,” says Suzanne Dubus, CEO, Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.  

The white ribbon has become a symbol of an international movement to mobilize boys and men to stop the violence, and ribbons will be distributed at the breakfast. Several other domestic violence prevention programs are holding similar events throughout the spring. The event is open to the public, but seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.

The White Ribbon Breakfast Committee is co-chaired by Richard Bazirgan, a member of the Crisis Center’s Board of Directors and principal of Richard Dean Associates, Newburyport and Mark Welch, retired president of the Institution for Savings.  Welch will serve as moderator for the conversation between Senator Brown and Andre Dubus.

According to Welch, “Violence against women is really a men’s issue in many ways. In the vast majority of domestic violence episodes, the perpetrator is a man. In order to stop the violence, it is essential that men and boys be engaged in a conversation that will lead to changed behaviors”

The Presenting Sponsor for the White Ribbon Breakfast is Chase & Lunt Insurance. The Anniversary Sponsor for the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center’s 30th anniversary year is the Institution for Savings.

On average, every day in the United States, three women are killed by their intimate partners. In Massachusetts since 2003, domestic violence homicide perpetrators have killed 261 people - 60% of whom were female domestic violence victims killed by male partners and 29% are friends and family members of the domestic violence victim.  In 28% of these incidents, the domestic violence homicide perpetrator also committed suicide.  As this incident shows, the presence of firearms increases the risk for more deadly violence.

Event Details:

The White Ribbon Breakfast will take place, Tuesday, April 2, 2013 from 8:00am - 9:00 am at the Hope Community Church located at 11 Hale Street, Newburyport, MA.  A continental breakfast will be served and tickets will be available for purchase at $25 per ticket.  Tables of 8 may be purchased at a discounted rate.  Men and women are encouraged to attend this important discussion. To purchase tickets or reserve full tables of 8 please visit www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org or contact Kelly Majewski at the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, tel. 978-465-0999 x14.

Background on The White Ribbon Campaign:

The Montreal Massacre took place on December 6, 1989, at 4:00 PM when a 25 year old man who claimed that he was “fighting feminism” opened fire on the campus of ÉcolePolytechnique in Montreal, Quebec.  In just under 20 minutes, the perpetrator shot 28 people.  In total, 14 women were killed and 14 others were shot (including 4 men) before the perpetrator turned the gun on himself.  Two years later the international White Ribbon Campaign was created to urge men to pledge not to be silent, condone or commit violence against women.  The White Ribbon Campaign is part of an international movement, which takes place in over 60 countries, created to mobilize men and boys to speak out and take action to stop violence against women and girls.

About the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center

For 30 years, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center has been helping individuals and families at risk because of domestic violence. What began as the compassionate mission of several volunteer parishioners of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newburyport in 1982 has grown into a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic violence from Amesbury, Merrimac, Georgetown, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury, and Groveland.The mission of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is to empower community members to live free from fear, intimidation, violence or the threat of abuse by providing support, advocacy, and education. For more information, call 978-465-0999, visit www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org or call the 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at 978-388-1888.