In an effort to increase awareness and education about violence against women, the Zonta Club of Fort Collins has introduced a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women speaker series.

The first event for the program, called the Zonta Says NO Speaker Series, was in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The speaker for the first event was the Executive Director of Crossroads Safehouse, Pat Parker. Parker spoke to several women about the intricacies of partner violence, victims, and efforts to end violence in Fort Collins.

Following Parker’s speech, Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell made a proclamation for the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

Attendees of the event were asked to bring shampoo or conditioner to donate to Safehouse residents.

The second speaker was Diana Laws, a leader in NECCAT, the Northeastern Colorado Coalition Against Trafficking. Laws spoke about human trafficking, the work of the coalition, as well as relayed stark facts about perpetrators and victims.

Attendees were asked to bring an item to add to bags that will be given to the police department to hand out to victims.

During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, the Zonta Club of Fort Collins is continuing to publish facts about human trafficking and violence against women in their area, as well as promoting future series events.

On 8 December, the speaker series will host AJ Ortiz who will give a presentation titled “Human Trafficking 101 in Our Community.”

The January speaker event will host Lisa Poppaw, the executive director of ChildSafe, a nonprofit that provides therapy for victims of sexual abuse.