National Domestic Violence Prevention Summit 2009 Engaging Communities to Help End Domestic Violence

For too long, domestic violence has been considered solely a women's issue.

The truth is:

At the Verizon Foundation's 4th Annual National Domestic Violence Prevention Summit, more than 120 leaders stepped forward to change the conversation.

This year's summit explored two central themes - engaging communities to help end domestic violence, and bringing men into the conversation to be part of the solution.

Summit speaker Curt Rogers said, "You created something unique...something I have never experienced. The DV Summit itself was groundbreaking - it was the first national gathering on domestic violence that was inclusive of male victims throughout."

Rogers serves as the director of the Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project and participated on the Engaging Men Panel.

"We were able to engage in dynamic and respectful dialogue even when we disagreed, supporting each other and willingly engaging in difficult/controversial conversations that would further both the communal dialogue as well as our own journeys."

The men's panel tackled such issues as redefining the male role and what society teaches boys about manhood.

The Summit also showcased model programs and partnerships that support a healthy community collaborating to end domestic violence. Areas of exploration included: public service media; law enforcement; the judicial system; public health; domestic violence service providers; and faith-based organizations.

"I will be sharing with my community your huge investment and sincere dedication to deal with this tragic issue head on; and I will share with them how you are making sure that you follow a comprehensive strategy...as well as financially supporting the organizations that work in the field," said Dr. Hind Jarrah, president, Texas Muslim Women's Foundation.

Verizon executive leadership had a significant presence at this 4th annual event.

"This is something that goes to the core of our being as an employer. And it goes to the core of our being as a technology provider," said Kathryn C. Brown, senior vice president, public policy development and corporate responsibility for Verizon Communications. "We are very grateful to you that you've embraced us in this community, and that you're helping us think through these issues as our technology and our workforce changes."

Other executives in attendance included: Dan Mead, chief operating officer, Verizon Wireless; Patrick Gaston, president, Verizon Foundation; Carl Erhart, region president, central region, Verizon Communications; Trinidad Aguirre, senior vice president and general manager, Verizon Telecom - Texas; and Rose Kirk, vice president - national enterprise sales and distribution, Verizon Wireless.