Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.
LAWRENCE - One of the nation's leading male activists for the prevention of violence against women will speak at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the Lied Center on the University of Kansas campus.
Jackson Katz, director of the U.S. Marine Corps Gender Violence Prevention Program, will deliver the lecture "More than a Few Good Men: A Lecture on American Manhood and Violence Against Women."
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.
Katz was the co-founder and former director of the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society. He is a popular speaker on the college lecture circuit and has appeared on national radio and TV programs, including "Good Morning America" and "ABC 20/20."
Katherine Rose-Mockry, director of the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center at KU and organizer of the event, said she recently obtained a copy of Katz's latest video, "Tough Guise: Violence, Media, and the Crisis in Masculinity." The video is a powerful yet entertaining educational tool that the center plans to use, she said. Katz will play excerpts from the tape as part of his presentation, and will answer questions from the audience following the lecture.
Rose-Mockry said she thought men were becoming more informed on issues related to violence against women. However, recent events - such as the numerous sexual attacks reported by women at Woodstock '99 and during the Puerto Rican Day celebrations in Central Park earlier this year - make it clear that further education is necessary. A recent study found that sexual assault is the second most reported crime on college campuses, she said.
Still, Katz's lecture will not be a finger-pointing session.
"Not all men are perpetrators and not all subscribe to these beliefs, but in talking about these issues, we'll have the opportunity to really begin addressing the problems," Rose-Mockry said.
Prior to his lecture, Katz will meet with KU faculty and administrators to discuss mechanisms for educating men on the campus about issues related to masculinity and sexual violence.
Gary Kempf, KU director of student-athlete life, said the athletics department got involved as one of the co-sponsors for the event not only as a way to educate student-athletes, but to inform its staff, as well.
"We have a real emphasis on making our student-athletes better people," Kempf said. "And it's also important for us as educators to learn why decisions are made in this area and how we can help direct those decisions."
Katz has worked as a consultant for several teams in the National Football League, educating players, coaches and front office staff on violence prevention methods. Several of his suggestions have been adopted into NCAA policy, as well. Rose-Mockry said she hoped the lecture would help open the dialogue between men and women.
"I do believe we are doing a better job of raising awareness, but sexual violence is probably the most underreported crime out there, so we still have a long way to go," she said.
Additional co-sponsors of the lecture include the All Scholarship Hall Council, Association of University Residence Halls, Coca-Cola, Counseling and Psychological Services, Commission on the Status of Women, Department of Student Housing, Interfraternity Council, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Panhellenic Association, Rape Victim Survivor Service and Working Against Violence Everywhere.