REQUEST FOR A SPEAKER

Patricia Wenskunas | Denise Brown | Tanya Brown

Patricia Wenskunas Founder/CEO Website:  http://www.patriciawenskunas.com She was victimized at an early age, and again as a young woman, but both times instinctively survived.  Now she helps others learn how to overcome their plight as a victim of violent crime and learn how to survive and thrive! Patricia Wenskunas grew up in a small Midwestern town. At an early age, she was on her own, working as a certified nurse’s aide in a senior citizens home, a food vendor, a handler of gourmet desserts in a fancy restaurant, and a training instructor for a home for the mentally challenged.  In her 20s, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and took on the role of being mother and father.  She knew this was a special gift in her life, the bond and love of a mother and her child.  In her mid 20s she ventured to  California, hoping for a better life for her son. Eventually, after working as a caterer, She started her own successful catering event planning business, Creative Coordinating®. Plagued by a poor self image, a bruise left over from her childhood, Patricia suffered from eating disorders and sought to combat this last remnant of her past.  She joined a physical fitness program and was introduced to a man 24-Hour Fitness said was a nurse. He would be her personal trainer.  The trainer called Patricia his “wallflower,” seeing her as the naïve young woman she was, who was vulnerable and seemingly defenseless.  Patricia had learned to trust him; in her eyes, he had become her counselor who helped her to mold her self image into that of a healthy young woman.  However, unknown to her, the trainer was manipulating her and plotting to take advantage of her trust.  Nine months into the training program, he invited himself to her home under the ruse of checking out her exercise equipment. At her home, he drugged her, beat her black and blue, and bound and suffocated her with saran wrap.  When she came to, he was on top of her threatening to kill her son if she screamed.  But he hadn’t counted on the courage of a mother’s love; and Patricia fought him off leaping from a 12-foot indoor balcony to the kitchen below, and ran to find help.  At that moment, a true survivor was born! During the court proceedings, Patricia was subjected to yet more abuse from the very legal system that is supposed to protect the innocent.  It was during this process that she discovered that a victim has no written rights under the state constitution, while a criminal’s rights are heavily protected by this very same constitution.  She discovered that her trainer was not a nurse as he and the fitness center portrayed him.  The judge scorned her, seemed to be more attentive to the defendant, and even gave out Patricia’s new address in court after she had moved to protect herself and her son from her assailant.  Her attacker had been charged with deliberate pre-meditated attempted murder, burglary in the first degree, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threat.  Yet due to the judge’s behavior and the fact several charges were dismissed, the jury found the trainer guilty only of assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.  He was sentenced to a mere 120 days in jail instead of the ten years available for all of the charges initially filed.  Her savings were all but depleted but she refused to be a victim.  Patricia brought the judge’s misconduct to the attention of the court system, and as a result of her complaint and those of others, the judge was removed from the bench. Frustrated at the injustices, Patricia again at her own expense gathered resource materials and began distributing these to law enforcement agencies for disbursement to other victims of violent crime--enabling them to become survivors.  She also worked on a Victim’s Bill of Rights to end the unbalance of the justice system.  As part of her ongoing efforts Patricia founded what has become a fast growing support system named Crime Survivors Incorporated™, with Patricia serving as the organizations CEO. Patricia has dreamed of an ongoing Survival Resource Center for victims of crime which would be available to assist every need, and bring awareness, prevention and survival to the surrounding communities.  Since her assault on April 4, 2002, Patricia has raised more than $450,000 to continue to empower victims to survive and thrive, and she is well on her way to the realization of that Survival Resource Center.  She has partnered with other outreach organizations and made many friends of other founders, public safety leaders, political and civil servants, and community supporters.  This is a true testimony of her ongoing fight against violent abuse.  Patricia has paved the path for Victims of Violent Crime to truly survive and thrive. For more information, or to arrange for Patricia to be a guest speaker at your function or event, you may contact her at 949-872-7895 or by e-mail at crimesurvivors@aol.com. Owner of Creative Coordinating® CEO and Founder of Crime Survivors, Inc.™ Advisory Member of Crime Victims United California

Denise Brown Born in Germany and raised in Southern California, Denise Brown led a life remarkable only in its normalcy until June 12, 1994 when her sister, Nicole Brown Simpson, was murdered. If you were to ask Denise to describe herself prior to this tragic event, you would have heard, "I'm just a mom from Laguna Beach." Brown's life path dramatically altered, she would now tell you that along with her devotion to her son, Sean, she is also committed to raising awareness against domestic violence - a crime that kills three women every day in the United States. Since early 1995 Denise Brown has traveled to various states speaking on the epidemic of domestic violence. She has addressed university student bodies, men in prison and in batterers' treatment programs, women at risk, church groups and various educational and legislative forums. Ms. Brown has helped raise funds for local shelters all across the country with her appearances, and has assisted in the success of a major project called the Vine System. This Program is an automated victim notification service of the release of batterers from jail or prison. As part of her commitment, Ms. Brown has worked to help pass a variety of legislative solutions for domestic violence. One of her most important projects was to lobby on behalf of the Violence Against Women Act. Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania contacted Ms. Brown and asked for her assistance on a portion of the bill that was being stalled in committee in the U.S. Senate. With a potential slashing of its federal allocation to domestic violence services, Denise Brown testified to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee for increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act. After her testimony, that portion of the bill's funding was increased from eighteen million to thirty-two million dollars. U.S. Senators Biden and Hatch have cited Denise Brown as "having done more for the issue of domestic violence than any other individual." Denise Brown has made a life-long commitment to educate the public as well as improve the quality of living for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, She is determined to banish the darkness and end the silence. Contact Denise as your next guest speaker (949) 283-5330 www.nbcf.org

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Tanya Brown Tanya Brown is a nationally-known speaker and inspirational motivator dedicated to creating leaders and empowering individuals to build healthy relationships and recognize the signs of toxic relationships.    Tanya's mission is to speak with students, law enforcement, office staff, and communities, in a grand effort to raise awareness and introduce leadership skills. Tanya educates people on the dangers of unhealthy relationships and seeks to prevent toxic relationships that can lead to violence.   She is a dynamic speaker and educator and has created a new interactive and entertaining presentation designed to drive a powerful message home. Her compassion and dedication accompanied with her professionalism and confidence inspire women and men alike to take the next steps towards healthy relationships and leadership.   The murder of my sister, Nicole Brown-Simpson, elevated my concern on the issues of domestic violence and toxic relationships. It is my life mission to raise awareness and empower individuals to create ownership and take action!  In my presentation I reveal some of my sister's intimate thoughts and the turmoil she went through living in an unhealthy relationship. These journals chronicle the first signs of domestic abuse and help to educate others so they are aware of where relationship violence starts and where it can end!   I also engage the audience in an interactive discussion on becoming aware of the stages of toxic relationships, as well as provide leadership tools to empower individuals to take action and make healthy choices. Leadership training is something we can ALL benefit from. Gaining the tools we need to become the leading person in our life is the key to healthy relationships and success.  Tanya Brown is a certified Life and Relationship coach, Leadership Motivator, Court Advocate, and Domestic Violence Counselor. Contact Tanya as your next guest speaker (949) 499-0313