By Casey Lamkin

Staff writer

As part of the Women’s Leadership Conference Keynote Address, Anne Munch, an attorney with 27 years of experience working as a prosecutor and an educator in the area of domestic violence and sexual assault, spoke about interpersonal violence on Friday, March 4.

Munch explained that most people who work in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy do so because they, or someone they know, have experienced it; however, Munch’s reason is different.

Back in Colorado, her home state, she worked as an intern at a family crisis center. Children were moved to the center after being taken out of their homes due to abuse and violence. It was Munch’s job to make the kid’s days a little brighter. She told the story of one child in particular.

“It was a day like any other day, but on this day I was approached by a police officer,” Munch said. The police officer allowed her to read the reports on the child, after which Munch thought, “I don’t know what I’m going to be when I grow up, but it’s going to be something that helps [children like this].” She knew at that point she wanted to have some impact on interpersonal violence.

Among the many things that Munch does, one is managing a statewide project that focuses on ending violence and is facilitating specialized programs called “Fast Track Strategy for Domestic Violence Charges.” Munch also used to work on the sexual assault case against Kobe Bryant.

“What surprises me after all those years of prosecuting cases, as long as I’ve been doing this work, domestic violence has been the leading crime against women,” Munch said.

The two misconceptions that she aims to eradicate are that women who dress a certain way are asking for it, and that all men are the same and that society projects an extremely low opinion of them as a gender.

Munch feels it’s important that people recognize that both men and women are guilty of having these perceptions; she believes it’s just as offensive to men as it is to women to have preconceived notions about a person based on their gender or clothing.

Ava Danville, assistant director of the Career Center, said, “The keynote was excellent and on point for touching on important issues of both men and women both needing to be conscious of.”

Sunaina Batra, a junior marketing major, felt that Munch had a positive message to share. “She’s an influential person and she brought a lot of different perspectives to common and current matters, and spoke on what we need to be doing as women in our society to prevent these things from happening.”

Munch gave visuals displaying women and men how they’re portrayed in the media. Dolce & Gabbana had multiple advertisements of women being surrounded and held down by groups of men. Headlines of newspapers showed detectives and sheriffs being charged with violence against their own wives.

“Millions of women pick up the magazine and absorb the messages without even realizing it. Do they have an impact?” Munch asked. “And my guess is, how could they not?”

She displayed a quote that explained her issue with the media. “Fish don’t know they’re in water.”

This visual presentation branched into her lesson on objectification.

Amy Smith, the associate director of external relations in the Career Center, helped coordinate the event. “I think the turnout was great and I was especially pleased to see so many Hofstra professionals. Discussing issues surrounding women as they go through their careers, professionals and students showing up alike is important. I really think that sent a great message about how Hofstra, as a whole, feels,” she said.

Munch’s closing statement was a list of four things she would like for people to do.

“Take a look at your own ideas and biases, because I promise you have your own. Learn how to find a voice that can be heard and step in for people who are being abused in one way or another. Seek out mentors who represent the very best parts of what you want to become and begin practice of self-care now. Violence is the ugliest part of our culture and that’s why I do what I do.”