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Elephant Club encourages men to step forward to stop domestic violence
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Thursday, on a gorgeous overlook at Rock Island's Schwiebert Park, a group of ordinary men will gather, reflect and vow to step forward. They are asking men everywhere to step with them. "Flowers on the River'' is the signature event of the Quad-Cities' Elephant Club, a group of local men dedicated to eliminating domestic abuse. It is planned in conjunction with the Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council. Many will speak at Thursday's gathering, and one man will drop a rose into the Mississippi River, symbolizing the local victims of domestic abuse. After a reading of the names of area women killed by domestic violence, Elephant Club members will do their best to share their message. They will encourage men to serve as positive role models for men, women and children within our community. Their belief is that the problem of violence against women cannot be solved alone, and that it is not a problem of women, it is a problem of men. "Many believe equality between sexes has come a long way,'' said David VanLandegen, a memberof the Elephant Club and Rock Island County Adult Probation Services director."Equality on many fronts has made great inroads, but there are many things men can do to make it better. It starts with respect and being accountable.'' Mr. VanLandegen, holding an Elephant Club information brochure, read some haunting statistics regarding domestic violence: -- Seventy-three percent of all family violence victims are female. -- Twenty-five percent of all emergency room visits made by women are a result of domestic assault. -- In the United States, three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day. -- Approximately one in five female high-school students reports being physically/and or sexually abused by a dating partner. -- Children who are exposed to domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems, including depression, anxiety and violence toward peers. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, and commit sexual assault crimes. Mr. VanLandegen says the Elephant Club's message is that being a silent bystander to violence against women and children cannot and will not be tolerated. "We must be proactive in the support of women and children,'' he said, noting the club uses the elephant as its symbol to signify the matriarch of the family. "We must work to be positive role models for men within communities. Our societal responsibility as men must be through love, care and respect for women and children. It is a simple message, but one that must be followed. 'Flowers on The River' is a reflective event, but men must step forward every day.'' Please, take that step. Columnist John Marx can be reached at (309) 757-8388 or jmarx@qconline.com. 
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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
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