Junior League of Asheville announces panel on domestic violence - March 31st

The Junior League of Asheville (JLA) invites the Buncombe County community to join in a domestic violence panel hosted at UNC Asheville on March 31, 2016 at 7pm at the Highsmith Student Union Room #159.

The domestic violence panel will provide an overview of the dynamics of domestic violence and the prevalence in Buncombe County. Discussion will include the impact on victims and their families, legal options, and ways to help victims feel safe. The format of the panel will include an introduction from each panelist, initial statements, discussion between panelists, and questions from the moderator and audience. Panelists include:

Julia Horrocks – Domestic Violence Attorney from Pisgah Legal

Erin Wilson – Team Leader, Supervisor and Staff Attorney: Domestic Violence and Housing-Pisgah Legal

Rachael Groffsky- Buncombe County Assistant District Attorney

April Burgess-Johnson- Helpmate Executive Director

Domestic violence is the most widespread form of violence against women in the United States with one in four women experiencing domestic violence during their lifetime. However, the victims of domestic violence are not limited to women; nearly 3 million domestic violence victims every year are men. Though domestic violence is tragic enough in its occurrence, it can also lead to homelessness, absentee parents and a pattern of abuse in children who witness the violence. In Buncombe County alone, around 2,000 women annually experience some form of domestic abuse. 

Panel Organizer and Chair of the CRPD Committee, Alysia Johnson, says, “As an organization that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of women, the JLA is proud to be partnering with UNC Asheville to raise awareness about domestic violence in the community. Every 9 seconds in the US, a woman is assaulted or beaten. It is the hope of the Community Research and Project Development committee that attendees will learn about ways to recognize the signs of abuse and what they do to help.” 

For more information contact The Junior League of Asheville at (828) 254-5608.