October dedicated to domestic violence awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
To raise awareness of the issue, Family Services – whose Safe Relationships Division offers a number of domestic violence-related programs – will host a series of programs, many of them free and open to the public.
Activities actually kick-off Saturday, Sept. 28, with the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser. Men will walk through the streets of downtown in high heels for this event. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at The Garage (near the corner of Seventh and Liberty streets). Visit www.walkamiletriad.org for more information.
From Oct. 1–2, Family Services and the N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence will co-sponsor John Guard, a veteran Pitt County law enforcement official and member of the state’s Domestic Violence Commission since 1997.
Guard advocates for victim safety and offender accountability. The sessions, both from 9–4 p.m., are free, but registration is required at www.nccadv.org.
The “Day of Unity Celebration and Commemoration” will be held Oct. 4 from noon – 1 p.m. at Family Services, 1200 S. Broad St. The event will honor the memory of domestic violence victims, while imploring the community to be cognizant of the issue. Family Services will also host the annual meeting of the Domestic Violence Community Council on Oct. 9 from 7:45 – 9 a.m. RSVPs are requested by Oct. 7 (336-722-8173).
“Home Free,” an annual luncheon dedicated to ending domestic violence in Forsyth County, will be held Oct. 17 from noon-1:30 p.m. at Bridger Field House; visit www.homefreenc.com more information.
“Domestic Violence and the African-American Community,” a panel discussion, will be held Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Dillard Auditorium of Winston-Salem State University’s Anderson Center. The teenage poetry troupe Authoring Action will perform.
Throughout the month, Family Services will collect items and used cell phones for domestic violence victims and survivors at its Broad Street location.
A series of domestic violence-theme films will be screened at a/perture cinema – “Buck” on Oct. 6, “Precious” on Oct. 13 and “Sun Don’t Shine” on Oct. 20. All films start at 7:30 p.m.
Learn more about the activities and local domestic violence programs and resources at www.fsifamily.org.
