HAYS, Kan. -- One of many who have lost a loved one to domestic violence, Dr. Curt Brungardt, Omer G. Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University, will speak out against violence against women on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at a regional conversation on Engaging Men and Boys in Stopping Violence Against Women.

In 2008, Brungardt's stepdaughter, Jana Mackey, was murdered in a case of domestic violence. Since that day, Brungardt and his wife, Dr. Christie Brungardt, assistant professor of leadership studies, have created Jana's Campaign, a national group of advocates and volunteers dedicated to reducing domestic violence and to carrying on the work of Jana, who was a sexual assault and domestic violence advocate and who promoted public policy that supported women and their rights.

"Domestic violence is often a hidden act," said Curt Brungardt. "Too often it is seen as a private matter between partners. It is not. Domestic violence is a public issue. Domestic violence is a public crime that demands a public response."

The Region VII Conversation, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Mo., is in response to Vice President Joe Biden's call to action to stop violence against women. This event will be one of 10 town hall events that the U.S. departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development will hold during the last week in October.

Brungardt will speak at 8:35 a.m. on behalf of Jana' s Campaign.

"We are a small organization that does big things," Brungardt said. "With few resources and in a short amount of time, we have had a positive impact in the fight against domestic violence here in Kansas and beyond."

​For more information on Jana's Campaign, go to www.janascampaign.org/.