Jana's Campaign

"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 and other victims of domestic violence, a committed group of advocates have created Jana's Campaign with the single mission of reducing 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." Through public awareness activities, educational programs and advocacy work, Jana's Campaign hopes to secure 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 Awareness, Education and Advocacy

Jana’s Campaign is a grassroots, community-based educational and advocacy effort developed for the direct purpose of working to reduce domestic violence. Partnering with other advocates, victims, educators, the criminal justice system and lawmakers, this campaign encourages the development of new and innovative public awareness campaigns, educational programs and advocacy work to reduce domestic violence. The campaign’s goal is to move the issues of

domestic violenceto the top of the national agenda and support activities that ensure effective victim services, prevention and treatment programs, and provides for true accountability and justice.

Follow our latest work to reduce domestic violence

Our Actions

Public Awareness. We believe in the power of speaking-out about the issues of domestic violence. Too often this form of violence is a “crime of silence” in our society. Jana’s Campaign is committed to bringing awareness to the seriousness of gender violence and encourages a larger conversation.

Education. We believe that major educational efforts at all levels are needed to end the cycle of violence against women. This includes educational activities in the fields of prevention and intervention. Jana’s Campaign participates and supports several projects that address these important areas.

Advocacy. We believe in the importance of encouraging traditional government and non-profit agencies to improve their efforts in fighting domestic violence. Government actions and the work of related non-government organizations have a profound effect on how women experience freedom from domestic violence. Jana’s Campaign is active on several fronts to ensure that these organizations hear and understand the needs of domestic violence victims.

About Jana and Her Legacy

	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 originally 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.info

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The Brungardts' testifying at the Kansas House Committee on Corrections

News & Events

Kansas Governor signs DV bill

	On April 20th, the Brungardts joined Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson who signed the domestic violence designation bill that was earlier passed by the Kansas Legislature.
See press release \| News 1 \| News 2 \| News 3 \| News 4 \| News 5 \| News 6

Jana’s Campaign Applauds Kansas Lawmakers and Governor for New Domestic Violence Law

TOPEKA, Kan. – Curt and Christie Brungardt, parents of the late Jana Mackey, applaud Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson for signing a new domestic violence law today in Topeka. Mackey was a 25 year-old law student who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Lawrence in 2008. more

Brungardts meet with Denise Brown

	They have been thrust into the spotlight by the violent deaths of family members more than a decade apart. Now Denise Brown and Curt and Christie Brungardt
will meet in Wichita for events intended to raise awareness about the prevalence and dangers of domestic violence. Brown became a national speaker about domestic violence in the years since her sister, Nicole Brown Simpson, was found murdered in Los Angeles in 1994. more

Hamlin writing book about Jana's legacy

	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.

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Our campaign team would love to hear from you. Please contact us with your comments as well as your suggestions as we build a safer world. E-mail us at janascampaign@gmail.com

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