Jana's Campaign

Curt Brungardt "Domestic violence is often a hidden act. 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!"
-Curt Brungardt  
Jana's Stepfather

The Time for Action is Now!

According to a recent United Nations report, one in every three women worldwide will directly experience violence in their lifetime. The overwhelming majority of these women will be physically harmed by their intimate partners. In the United States, domestic violence is recognized as the leading cause of injuries experienced by women. And data from the US Department of Justice says on an average, three women every day are killed by their current or former partners. On July 3, 2008, Jana Lynne Mackey, a University of Kansas law student was one of these fatalities.

In honor of Jana, a committed group of advocates have created Jana's Campaign to encourage and promote a public policy response to domestic violence. "We believe it is our responsibility to use the story of Jana's life and the story of her death to help reduce violence against women." Jana's Campaign promotes new and effective legislation and other government action that secures safety and justice for victims of domestic violence. "It is our deep desire to play a significant role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence and be a catalyst for social change."

Public Policy Advocacy

Jana's Campaign is a grassroots, community-based advocacy effort developed for the purpose of working in the domestic violence public policy arena. Partnering with other advocates, victims, the criminal justice system and law makers, this campaign encourages the development of effective state and national public policy. The campaign's goal is to move the issues of domestic violence to the top of the political agenda and support legislation that enhances victim's services, prevention and treatment programs, and provides for true accountability and justice. Currently Jana's Campaign is supporting new legislation in Jana's home state of Kansas. To learn more about the proposed Kansas domestic violence legislation go to Our Actions.

"The actions of government bodies - their laws, practices, regulatory measures, and funding priorities - profoundly affect how women and their families experience life and freedom from domestic violence."

-National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

About Jana and Her Legacy

Jana Jana Mackey was well-known throughout Kansas for her advocacy for women's rights. She had spent years volunteering to aid victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. She received her bachelor's degree in Women's Studies from KU and was an active participant in KU's Commission on the Status of Women. Jana also served as one of the youngest lobbyists at the Kansas State Capitol for the National Organization for Women.
The most unlikely of domestic violence victims, KU law student Jana Mackey was found dead in her ex-boyfriend's home on July 3, 2008. For more about Jana please visit Jana's story.
Jana's Campaign to stop domestic violence was motivated by, and developed as part of, Jana Mackey's Eleven hundred Torches foundation. Eleven Hundred Torches was created after Jana's death and was designed to encourage hundreds of ordinary citizens to serve others.
Inspired by Jana's life, and motivated into action by her death, Eleven Hundred Torches was created to inspire others to make a difference.

On July 9th, 2008, speakers at "Jana's celebration of life" service called on the 1100 people in attendance to pick up her fallen torch and find the courage to carry her work forward. It is our hope that her single torch will soon become eleven hundred torches. Eleven hundred others making a difference in our world.

For more information visit 1100torches.org
1100 Torches


Follow our latest work in the domestic violence public policy arena
Capitol


Follow Jana's Campaign on:
Jana's Campaign on FacebookJana's Campaign on You TubeFlickrJana's Campaign on Twitter

News & Events

Kansas Senate to discuss DV bill

TOPEKA, Kan. – On Monday, March 15th at 9:30 p.m. (State Capitol Rm 548-S) members of the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony about proposed legislation that will assist the criminal justice system in documenting crimes associated with domestic violence and track repeated offenders. more

Brungardts' write article for Kansas newspapers

On July 3, 2008, we received news that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Our 25-year old daughter Jana Mackey, a KU law student, had been killed by her ex-boyfriend in Lawrence. What we have learned since that time is that our tragedy is not that uncommon. more

Hamlin writing book about Jana's legacy

Darrell Hamlin Darrell Hamlin is collaborating with Christie and Curt Brungardt to write a manuscript about Jana’s life and her legacy. Share your stories about Jana or
how her legacy has moved you. For more information see link.

Kansas House passes DV bill

Jana's Campaign is happy to announce that the Kansas House of Representatives passed the Domestic Violence Bill "Substitution for HB2517". With a unanimous vote, legislators supported the bill and moved it to the Senate. Five Representatives spoke on behalf of the bill & each mentioned Jana Mackey's legacy and our campaign. News 1 | News 2 | News 3 | News 4 | Blog 1 | Blog 2

Brungardts' speak in favor of new DV law

Curt & Christie Speaking about HB 2517
On February 1st, Curt and Christie Brungardt spoke in favor of a new domestic violence law-Kansas HB2517. Their testimony was presented to the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice. Testimony | Photos | News 1 | News 2 | News 3 | News 4 | News 5 | News 6 | Blog