CROSSROADS SAFEHOUSE BRINGS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR, MARY MARGARET FARREN, TO FORT COLLINS TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Mary Margaret Farren speaks out to change the perception that domestic violence happens only to “weak women without resources.”

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (September 28, 2017)- Crossroads Safehouse, a full-service domestic violence agency, is hosting a free community fundraising breakfast Oct. 19th in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event will feature nationally-renowned advocate and domestic violence survivor Mary Margaret Farren.

Farren, a prominent attorney, nearly died after an attack from her now ex-husband Michael Farren, former deputy White House counsel under President George W. Bush. During an ABC News 20/20 interview, Farren describes the night of terror and how her husband attacked her after she had him served with divorce papers. Ms. Farren said she is sharing her story because of the critical need to speak out to help change the perception that domestic violence only happens to “weak women without resources.”

“Domestic violence is a serious problem that is harmful not only to individuals and families, but to our entire community,” said Pat Parker, Crossroads’ Executive Director. “Our goal is to bring awareness to an issue that has an untold number of victims, while raising critical funds to assist those victims.” Parker adds, “We are honored to have Mary Margaret share her story and to shed light on an issue that persists in every pocket of our community, but nobody ever wants to talk about.”
According to the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, one in four women and one in seven men will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. And, on average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner.

Crossroads Safehouse encourages the community to seek out opportunities to learn more about domestic violence and how to prevent such incidents. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual to control or exert power over another individual in the context of an intimate relationship. This violence encompasses all forms: sexual assault, physical violence, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse and occurs in all socioeconomic classes, without regard to race, religion or sexual orientation.

Farren will speak at the Stand With Us-Champions for Change Breakfast, a free fundraising breakfast, which will be held at the new Colorado State University Stadium 7:30-9a.m. Information and registration can be found at https://swubreakfast.eventbrite.com. Crossroads would like to thank the following Corporate Partners for helping bring this program to the community: First National Bank, Colorado State University, Blue Federal Credit Union and Trip Wynn International.

For Mary Margaret Farren Interview Requests, please contact Kari Clark at kclark@crossroadssafehouse.org.

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ABOUT CROSSROADS SAFEHOUSE

Crossroads Safehouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic violence and their children through emergency shelter and supportive services. Started in 1980, Crossroads has been serving victims for nearly 38 years and has grown from a small four-bedroom house to 32 bedrooms in a 29,000-square-foot facility.
Annually, Crossroads serves nearly 3,000 individuals and prevents almost 30,000 nights of homelessness due to domestic violence.

Crossroads’ programming includes a variety of intervention, safety, education and prevention options including emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy and representation, crisis intervention, outreach, pet fostering and community education and prevention. The facility is in operation 24/7/365.