KU News Release

Law students working with domestic violence shelter to raise awareness, support

LAWRENCE — Two University of Kansas student groups are teaming up with Women’s Transitional Care Services to raise awareness and support for survivors of gendered violence through a supply drive and an educational forum.

From now until Oct. 31, Women in Law and the KU chapter of Alpha Chi Omega will be collecting items for Women’s Transitional Care Services to keep at the shelter as part of its “Call to End Gendered Violence” campaign. In particular, the agency seeks old cell phones to give to women as they leave the shelter so they can call 911 in an emergency. Other items sought include toiletries, office supplies and household products.

Donated items may be dropped off until 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at the KU School of Law, Green Hall, 1535 W. 15th St.

In conjunction with the item drive, Women in Law will host a Gendered Violence Forum from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at 109 Green Hall. The forum is free and open to the public.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson will share his experience prosecuting perpetrators of gendered violence and provide insight into the courtroom experience for survivors.

Kay Metzger, court advocate for Women’s Transitional Care Services, will share tips on recognizing signs of gendered violence in a friend or client as well as thoughts on what to say when a friend or client tells you that she or he is a survivor of gendered violence. They also will discuss the effects gendered violence may have on people.

Finally, an attorney from Kansas Legal Services will talk about the legal process survivors may face.

Every 28 minutes a woman is beaten by an intimate partner in Kansas, and every two weeks a woman is killed by an intimate partner in Kansas. Founded in 1976, Women’s Transitional Care Services was the first battered woman's shelter in the state. The agency provides shelter and services to more than 274 women and children each year.

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