Verizon Wireless and Jana’s Campaign partner to prevent teen dating violence in Western Kansas

Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program for domestic violence prevention and awareness is donating to Jana’s Campaign for programs to reduce teen dating violence, with a special focus on students from middle school through college, and young men. Domestic violence is most often associated with adults, however, according to research by Break the Cycle, nearly 43% of dating college students report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

Jana’s Campaign was founded by Fort Hays State University Professors Curt and Christie Brungardt when their daughter, Jana Mackey, become a victim of domestic violence in 2008 and lost her life.  The group believes that education-based prevention is the best way to counter this issue, with particular emphasis on males and college-aged students. These programs honor Jana’s memory, as she herself spent years volunteering with local victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Though the programs are based in Hays, Kan., the Brungardts work across the entire western Kansas region to raise awareness about this issue.

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