Nationally known speaker to give domestic violence presentation

Mark Wynn, a nationally known speaker and expert on domestic violence, will give a presentation Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

Wynn, a 20-year member of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, is a former lieutenant in the department's domestic violence division. He now speaks full time about domestic violence.

Wynn will be discussing the dynamics of domestic violence, including why victims are reluctant to report, why they stay, why offenders batter and how it impacts children.

"I think he's an excellent trainer. I've seen him three times (and) never been bored," said Lisa Hamilton, director of Aitkin-based Advocates Against Domestic Abuse, which is sponsoring Wynn's presentation. "He really understands and gets (the problem of) violence against women, and that's a huge step."

According to the course description prepared by the Advocates Against Domestic Abuse, Wynn "inspires his audience to further their understanding of victims' lack of protection and loss of trust in government and the community, as well as who pays the price for failing the victims of this often hidden crime."

Wynn has presented his course several times in Minnesota. His Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 presentations are part of a two-year special projects grant Advocates Against Domestic Abuse received to help increase order for protection enforcement.

The idea behind the grant and Wynn's presentation is for more training for law enforcement and others who handle domestic abuse cases.

"From where we stood we've seen a lot of (order for protection) cases where the law wasn't followed, the person wasn't charged," Hamilton said. "With this grant we're seeing an increase in prosecutions."

According to the biography provided by Advocates Against Domestic Abuse, Wynn was the recipient of 121 commendations and 51 awards, including the 1998 Nashvillian of the Year award and the National Improvement of Justice award. In 1995 he was selected as one of the top 10 police officers in the U.S. and he has testified before Congress and given speeches at the White House concerning domestic abuse.

Wynn's presentation will be from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd, 1420 S. Sixth St.

The presentation and course is open to anyone. Registration is $25 and the deadline to register is Friday. For more information or to register contact Advocates Against Domestic Abuse at (218) 927-2327.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.