Kansas Department of Corrections Parole Officers recently addressed a group of female students from Eisenhower High School in Goddard to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence and to empower the students to take control of their safety.

The parole officers, Larry Meadows and Theresa Valcoure, discussed personal awareness, safety and self-defense and highlighted their own experiences that includes working with offenders who have perpetrated crimes that target young women.

The parole officers focused on intimate partner violence and sexual assault crimes. The group was shocked to learn that 1.3 million women were victims of sexual assault last year.  Of these assaults, 81% occurred to women under the age of 25 and half of those were under 18 years of age. 

The class was so well received that plans are currently underway for a refresher course for the group later in the year.

The Kansas Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services commends Larry and Theresa for volunteering to educate young women on the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence and for empowering the young women to prevent violence in their lives.