Fairfield University Dean of Students Will Johnson was one of several community leaders recognized at the Center for Family Justice’s (CFJ) second annual Speaking with Men breakfast on November 15. The event was sponsored by the CFJ’s White Ribbon Task Force, comprised of male community leaders whose mission is to engage men and boys to end violence against women and girls, and drive social change through government, community, and corporate collaboration.

 

As Dean of Students at Fairfield University, Johnson is the chief student conduct officer and advocate for all students. Dean Johnson has been instrumental in implementing a comprehensive approach to reducing sexual violence at Fairfield, and works diligently to increase awareness and education among students, faculty, and parents. For the past five years, he has worked closely with the Center for Family Justice and the Fairfield Police Department to train students in prevention strategies such as bystander education. Dean Johnson has been an integral member of the Fairfield University community for more than 14 years, and has also served as director of Student Diversity Programs, co-chair of the President’s Institutional Diversity Council, Title IX compliance investigator, and associate director of Admission for Diversity.

Award-winning documentary filmmaker, author, and activist Byron Hurt was the event's keynote speaker. He emphasized the importance of engaging men in conversations about ending abuse and breaking the cycles of violence. A former quarterback at Northeastern University, Hurt is a founding member of the Mentors in Violence Prevention program, a college-based rape and domestic violence prevention initiative. He also helped lead the first gender violence prevention program in the U.S. Marine Corps.

 

Following Hurt's opening remarks, White Ribbon Task Force leader Gary Mc Namara—Sacred Heart University’s Executive Director of Public Safety and Government Affairs, and former Fairfield Police Chief — sat down with Hurt for an interview and Q & A session. Easton Police Chief Tim Shaw bestowed the awards on the honorees, including Fairfield Prep senior Ethan Dubrosky, who spoke about the impact of CFJ's Camp Hope and the call to action to engage young men in prevention.

 

For 12 decades, CFJ has provided free, comprehensive services for individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse. The organization serves Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.