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Proclamation recognizing Colleen Bowers for her dedication to help put an end to domestic violence in our region, and recognizing the Center for Victims most recent campaign, MEN Challenge which educates men and give them the tools and resources necessary to use their voices and their actions to be social change agents.
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WHEREAS, domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault are often seen as “Women’s Issues;” however, that is not the case. Every individual has a role to play in ending violence against women and girls; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Victims has launched a Men Ending VioleNce (MEN) Challenge in which men who work in Allegheny County are encouraged to make a pledge to learn more about how to be a proactive bystander and speak out about violence against women and girls; and
WHEREAS, the Center believes that men want to be actively involved in violence prevention, but don’t always know where to start or what to do; the goal of the MEN Challenge is to educate men and give them the tools and resources necessary to make a change; and
WHEREAS, men participating in the MEN Challenge will receive a tool kit that will give them themed monthly activities and educational tips that can be used in their homes, workplaces, social networks and communities; and
WHEREAS, Colleen Bowers, whose daughter, Melissa, was murdered in 2012 as the result of domestic violence, has dedicated countless hours to increasing awareness of domestic abuse and raising funds for the Pittsburgh-based Center for Victims; and
WHEREAS, Colleen along with Melissa’s two children, brother, extended family and friends have engaged in several efforts so that no one else in her community has to die at the hands of a violent partner like her daughter did; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Colleen has worked on a variety of initiatives and has hosted “In Memory of Melissa Bowers Fundraisers” to raise funds for the Center for Victims to help survivors of...
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