"Special to the Peachite"
Shirlyn Johnson Granville, event organizer, said the conference was launched to teach young people – especially woman – about the potential dangers facing them.
“The purpose of the Lipstick, Hugs and Kisses Conference is to engage and expand the conversation in the university community about issues such as dating violence, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; particularly against women and girls,” Granville said.
Granville explained that from 2003-2013, at least 1,300 Georgians lost their lives due to domestic violence.
“The Fort Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, through its national organization, is dedicated to making the national theme of ‘Building a Healthy Legacy: Our Prescription for the Future,’ a reality in the Fort Valley and Middle Georgia community,” she said. “Further research suggest that dating violence is directly related to a young woman’s view of herself and contributes to her low self-esteem. At the close of the conference, our goal is to help women to not become victims and to help those already suffering to rebuild their lives.”
The event will include a panel discussion on domestic violence, that will be led by experts and community advocates that will include Fort Valley native and Judge Daphne Walker. Walker is currently the president and chief executive officer of the Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV), the largest nonprofit domestic violence organization in Georgia. Walker established her own law firm in 2002. In 2007, she was recognized by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence for her efforts to prevent violence.
The key panelist for the HIV/AIDS Session will be Dr. Debra Wilson Jones, a former U.S. Air Force officer. Wilson Jones is also a long-time dentist from Warner Robins and currently affiliated with Grady Hospital in Atlanta. Wilson has presented lectures across the country, and an educational series on HIV/AIDS. The keynoter will talk about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how community collaborations that emphasize education and testing can help to alter the number of young adults being infected.
Middle Georgia Healthcare Organizations and Professionals as collaborators, will also be on hand to distribute literature, answer questions and conduct HIV/AIDS testing.
The conference will be followed by the football game of the Wildcats against Benedict College Tigers. A box lunch, music and a step show on the FVSU Historic Quad will follow the event. The conference is open to the public. There will be door prizes awarded to the dormitory with the most participants.
Student led organizations which include males and females: Student Government Association, Miss and Mr. Fort Valley, fraternity and sorority organizations, Health Services and counseling ( TEARs2C) and all areas of Student Affairs are asked to co-host this life changing experience with The Fort Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Also, the dormitory with the most participants will win prizes.
This conference will give students the information needed so they can be empowered when making dating decisions and if confronted in a domestic violence situation while at college and long after matriculation.
“Fort Valley students, staff and faculty are asked to wear their college tee-shirts or jerseys to show the support and determination for ending domestic violence and saving lives from HIV/AIDs through lipstick, hugs and kisses,” Johnson Granville added.
For details, email Granville at readfoundation@bellsouth.net.
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://fvsupeachite.blogspot.com/2015/06/fvsu-to-host-lipstick-hugs-and-kisses.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibr83fkLLTbQZMrdO7tgIEHY5U6P7Lg0R_X1hJsPeuQP77dtFXMurd6uLnEkDpDbZ7oEALIoZ1D2j9tQLHUXAzrrFcJdAn2SG1xIwir2Gk_zSRWLOdJYtljkK9HqrU8OQJlhuPOgO9hSRp/s72-c/lipstick.png&description= "Special to the Peachite" (Fort Valley, GA) – Fort Valley State University will serve as the host for a conference seekin...){kind=link}