[Durham INC] Durham Domestic Violence Summit Sept. 16 & 17

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

For Details, Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 11253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov <mailto:Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov> 

 

For Immediate Release:  September 3, 2009

 

 

Durham Hosts Domestic Violence Summit Sept. 16 & 17

Two Free Events Designed to Raise Awareness and Help Prevent Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Rape; 

Summit Part of "2009 I Care Campaign"

 

DURHAM, N.C. - Durham residents interested in learning more about domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape - and how to prevent and help those who are victims - should mark their calendars now for the City of Durham's "Sex, Love and Violence" Summit.

 

This first-time summit, hosted by the Mayor's Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Rape Task Force as well as the City of Durham's Department of Human Relations, will span two days with the first event on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Durham Marriott at the Convention Center, located at 201 Foster Street.  The program and lunch are free, but attendees are required to register by calling (919) 560-4410, ext. 24255.

 

Speakers at this event will include Mayor William V. "Bill" Bell, Mayor Pro Tempore Cora Cole-McFadden, Councilman Michael Woodard, Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez, Sr., as well as representatives from the Durham County District Attorney's Office, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Durham Crisis Response Center, North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and a survivor of sexual assault and rape.  The Durham Marriott is the sponsor of this event.

 

The second event of the summit - specifically designed for Latino residents and conducted in Spanish only - will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, located at 810 West Chapel Hill Street.  The program and refreshments are free, but attendees are required to register by calling (919) 560-4410, ext. 24255.

 

According to Yvonne Peña, director of the City's Department of Human Relations, this summit is in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the Mayor's Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Rape Task Force and illustrates Durham's continued commitment to eradicating domestic violence, sexual assault and rape.  "The first step in eradicating this senseless violence in our community is to educate our residents on how to identify it, what to do once you know it's happening to someone, and why it's critical that we as a community step up and not tolerate it anymore," Peña said.  "Last year, four Durham residents lost their lives to domestic violence.  Also, last year more than 1,600 domestic violence cases were reported in Durham.  As a community, we should simply not tolerate this type of violence against our women and children.  Our goal in this summit is to provide education, outreach, and hope that life does not begin and end with the fists of another."

 

This year's summit is part of the "2009 I Care Campaign," which debuted at Durham's Annual Domestic Violence Tree Lighting Ceremony in December 2008.  The "2009 I Care Campaign" is designed to help Durham residents make a personal commitment to help domestic violence victims by promoting the services available to them and to help them when it is time to leave an abusive relationship.  

 

Mayor's Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Rape Task Force is coordinated by the City's Department of Human Relations and its organizational members include: North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Durham Crisis Response Center; Durham Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit; Durham County Sheriff's Department Domestic Violence Unit; Durham County District Attorney's Office; El Centro Hispano; and Duke University Medical Center. 

 

Attendance at these events is free and Durham residents and the news media are encouraged to attend.  To pre-register to attend either of these events, residents should contact (919) 560-4410, ext. 24255.  For more information about the summit, contact Peña at (919) 560-4107 or via e-mail at yvonne.pena at durhamnc.gov. 

 

About the Department of Human Relations

The City of Durham's Department of Human Relations strives to improve race and human relations in the City by working to eliminate discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations; and by prioritizing community outreach and educational activities to meet the needs of Durham's citizens.  To learn more about this department, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/relations. 

 

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