Denise Brown Carries Her Message to County : Domestic violence: Sister of slaying victim Nicole Brown Simpson is the guest speaker at an all-day event featuring talks and workshops on abuse in the home.

Less than two weeks after a jury acquitteJ. Simpson of killing her sister, Denise Brown has already traveled across Southern California to speak out against domestic violence, with her latest stop Friday in Ventura County.

“[People] are realizing this is a big problem and they want to do something about it,” Brown told a crush of reporters and television camera crews assembled outside a conference center near Camarillo Airport.

Brown was the guest speaker at the Ventura County Domestic Violence Task Force Conference 1995, an all-day event featuring talks and workshops on domestic abuse.

Conference organizers said Brown asked that the media be barred from her 45-minute talk on how those close to domestic violence victims can improve support services. But Brown agreed to a brief interview, provided the Simpson case remained off-limits.

“I am not here to talk about the verdict,” said Brown, who wore one gold angel earring and two angel pins, symbols now recognized around the globe as tiny memorials to slaying victims Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman.

Instead, Brown, a 37-year-old former model, focused her remarks on what she termed her life’s work--raising awareness about domestic violence. As chief executive officer of the Nicole Brown Simpson Charitable Foundation, founded last December to lend support to groups working to eradicate violence, she called on society to stop ignoring “this dirty little secret” of domestic abuse.

“It’s the men who need to stand up and say this is not acceptable,” said Brown, who appeared relaxed as she chatted easily with reporters after the long drive from Dana Point, where the Brown family lives.

Earlier, Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury joined other county officials in thanking the more than 200 members of the public and domestic abuse professionals for doing their part to end violence in the home.

Bradbury said 3 million to 10 million American children witness incidents of domestic violence every year. About 30% to 50% of partners who abuse their spouses also abuse their children, Bradbury said.

Bradbury suggested that the government spend more money identifying at-risk children than rehabilitating delinquent juveniles.

Children “not only are the most fragile [victims],” Bradbury said. “They are also the key to stopping the inter-generational cycle of abuse.”

Although none of the morning speakers mentioned the Simpson case by name, references to the trial and verdict peppered all their comments.

“We don’t want any more dead victims of domestic violence and children left without a mommy,” Sheriff Larry Carpenter said.

Many who attended Brown’s lunchtime address wiped their eyes as they streamed out of the conference room after the speech.

Attendees said Brown discussed the future of her foundation and of efforts to break the cycle of domestic violence by teaching children that “hands are not for hitting.”

And while they said Brown avoided mentioning the Simpson murder trial, they said Brown did not avoid personal issues altogether.

“She talked about her feelings about knowing that her sister was abused and how that’s very common,” said Alan Hammerand, a county senior deputy probation officer.

Others said they appreciated Brown’s efforts to make domestic violence a high-priority issue.

“She is definitely a good spokeswoman, so people are going to listen,” said Liz Santillan, a county juvenile probation officer. “Hopefully, she can keep domestic abuse in the forefront.”