Office of Governor: Kansas

April 04, 2006

Governor Sebelius and Attorney General Kline to host annual Crime Victims’ Rights Conference

TODAY --- Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Phill Kline will host the 2006 Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Conference April 4-5, 2006 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Topeka.

The conference is an opportunity for crime victims, survivors and those who serve them to join together to promote victims’ rights and strengthen the services available to crime victims.

“The theme for this year’s conference – ‘Victims’ Rights: Strength in Unity’ pays tribute to crime victims and survivors who for many decades have joined together in mutual support and advocacy to promote victims’ rights and services,” Governor Sebelius said. “It also recognizes the ongoing efforts of countless victim service providers, justice professionals, allied professionals and volunteers who selflessly dedicate their lives to helping crime victims.”

This year’s conference offers more than 30 workshops and six keynote presentations. The presentations and speakers include:

  • A panel of family members who lost loved ones to domestic violence. The panel is moderated by former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan, chair of Governor Kathleen Sebelius’ Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board;
  • Greg Risberg, president of Open Arms Seminars, Elmhurst, Illinois;
  • Judge Ronald B. Adrine, Cleveland, Ohio Municipal Court Chair and member of the Board of Trustees of the Family Violence Prevention Fund;
  • Jayne A. Hitchcock, president of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA) and Kids/Teens Division (WHOA-KTA), Dover, New Hampshire;
  • Sara Aravanis, associate director for Elder Rights with the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA), Washington, D.C.; and
  • Ronald R. Willis, mental health consultant with Green Porch Swing Productions, Jewell, Kansas.

Governor Sebelius provides opening remarks this morning, Tuesday April 4, at 8:30 a.m. During her remarks, Governor Sebelius will read and sign a proclamation declaring April 23-29, 2006 as Kansas Crime Victims’ Rights Week in recognition of the services professionals and volunteers provide to crime victims everyday. Attorney General Kline speaks on Wednesday April 5th at 11:30 a.m.

  
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