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First Lady Anita Perry to Tour Juarez Crisis Center
Visit aimed at drawing attention to hundreds of missing or murdered Juarez women
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (March 2, 2004) - Today Texas First Lady Anita Perry and the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) will tour Casa Amiga Crisis Center in an effort to draw attention to the more than 200 women who have gone missing in Chihuahua over the past 10 years. Mrs. Perry’s visit will include a tour of the facility followed by remarks to the press. "The future of Texas and Mexico are as tied together, as our history," said Mrs. Perry. "The safety of young women who live along our border must be a top priority for law enforcement, business leaders and victim advocates in Mexico and in Texas."
The First Lady’s visit coincides with TAASA’s Annual Conference. This year’s conference theme is "Speak Up, Speak Out: Border to Border" and is held in conjunction with the El Paso area’s Sexual Trauma & Assault Response Services (STARS). The conference draws attendees from Texas as well as from Mexico and New Mexico. In addition to training advocates for sexual assault survivors, the conference includes a benefit for Casa Amiga, featuring a screening of the documentary "Senoritas Extraviadas", introduced by Mrs. Perry. The film tells the story of the over 200 kidnapped, raped and murdered women of Juarez.
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Who:
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Texas First Lady Anita Perry and TAASA
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What:
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Tour of Casa Amiga
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Where:
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Casa Amiga Crisis Center
Peru Norte 878
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua
011 52 (656) 615-3850
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When:
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Tuesday, March 2, 2004; 12-1 PM
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Contact:
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Chris Lippincott, TAASA Public Affairs Director
512-589-3954, clippincott@taasa.org
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About Casa Amiga
Casa Amiga offers psychological, medical and legal support to women and men exposed to rape and domestic violence. In addition, Casa Amiga educates area school on the crime of sexual assault. Casa Amiga also plays a key role in the exposure of the disappearances of Juarez women. Executive Director Esther Chavez is a leading source of information on the local effects of the kidnappings, rapes and murders. For more information, visit www.casa-amiga.org.
About Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) is the statewide organization committed to ending sexual violence in Texas. A non-profit educational and advocacy organization based in Austin, TAASA member agencies comprise a statewide network of more than 75 crisis centers that serve rural as well as metropolitan areas. Founded in 1982, the agency has a strong record of success in community education, legal services, youth outreach, law enforcement training, legislative advocacy, and curricula and materials development. Additional information about TAASA can be found at www.taasa.org.
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