Attorney General's News Release

Oct. 14, 1997

Attorney General Nixon to lead Missouri delegates in March Against Domestic Violence in Washington

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon has been selected by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), St. Louis Section, to serve as honorary chairman of the Missouri Silent Witness delegation at the National March to End the Silence in Washington on Oct. 18.

The march is part of the Silent Witness National Initiative, the goal of which is to eliminate domestic violence murders by the year 2010. Nixon will march with more than 30 Missouri domestic violence activists, representing agencies and organizations devoted to helping victims of abuse.

The delegates, led by Missouri Silent Witness co-chairwomen Sally Katzif and Dr. Nancy Bobrow of NCJW, St. Louis Section, include wives, husbands, children, mothers and fathers from St. Louis and surrounding communities. They will be carrying 18 Missouri Silent Witness silhouettes, each bearing the name and story of a Missouri woman who died as a result of family violence.

The delegates will be joined by thousands of people from across the country, marching with more than 1,500 Silent Witnesses to the steps of the Capitol to give a voice to those who have been silenced. Delegations from all 50 states and some U.S. territories are expected to participate.

Nixon, who serves as chairman of the Criminal Law Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General, said the Washington march will focus national attention on a problem that has long been ignored.

"Domestic violence is one of the most under-reported crimes in this country," Nixon said. "For too long we denied its existence and turned the other way. Today, we must break our silence and join together to end the most terrifying of all crimes -- violence in the home."

"General Nixon has been an active supporter of our efforts to stop domestic violence," Bobrow said. "He has worked on this issue with law enforcement officials in Missouri and throughout the country, and he has initiated important legislation to help fund domestic violence shelters in Missouri. We are pleased and honored that he can serve in this capacity."

"The Silent Witnesses are powerful and vivid reminders of the tragedy of family violence," Katzif added. "We hope that everyone who sees our Silent Witness exhibit will be motivated to work to end family violence and to help achieve the goals of the National Initiative."

The march will be followed by a candlelight vigil to memorialize the murdered victims of domestic violence and to honor the courageous women who have survived violence in their homes. The weekend will continue with the Bring Peace Home conference, highlighting the projects nationwide that have been successful in reducing the number of domestic violence murders.

Missouri's Silent Witness silhouettes represent 16 Missouri women, ages 12-62, who were murdered in one year by spouses, boyfriends or family members. A 17th silhouette represents one of the most recent victims in Missouri, a woman murdered just seven weeks ago. The 18th silhouette represents the uncounted women, who also were victims of domestic violence, but whose murders were not documented as domestic violence.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818