Group holds its first domestic-violence awareness event

5/10/2013

Organizers of an effort aimed at bringing awareness to domestic violence is holding the group’s first community forum today to reach out to victims of violence, their families, and friends.

The Domestic Violence Community Awareness Project gathered advocates, police officials, and members of government and nonprofit agencies to host the forum, which is taking place at the Sanger Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

Members formed the awareness project in November as an outgrowth of the Lucas County Domestic Violence Task Force, said Lynn Jacquot, director of the YWCA Battered Women's Shelter. The group launched in response to a growing understanding for the need for greater community awareness of domestic violence and area deaths caused by such abuse, she said.

“We also want to educate the community to be a part of the solution,” said Ms. Jacquot.

Today’s event included a presentation by advocates, including sharing warning signs that can indicate a person might become violent toward his partner. The signs include attempts to control what she wears and who she sees, cruelty to animals, and unrealistic expectations.

More than 30 people, including representatives of the agency, attended the event, which continues until 2 p.m. today with opportunities to meet one-on-one with advocates and others who offer support services.

- Vanessa McCray