The Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Advocacy Council is inviting the public to participate in a Domestic Violence Memorial Tree ceremony in Uptown Charlotte. The tree lighting event will commemorate the 53 lives lost due to domestic violence in the State of North Carolina this year.
The memorial will take place:
Thursday, December 7
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
101 Independence Center
101 North Tryon Street
Free parking for the event is available at the Hal Marshall County Services Center at 700 North Tryon Street or the Seventh Street Station parking garage. A free trolley runs the length of Tryon Street every seven minutes.
The Domestic Violence Advocacy Council is partnering with Lincoln Harris in this domestic violence public awareness effort. The Council includes representatives from the Mecklenburg County Women's Commission, Department of Social Services, Sheriff's Office, Shelter for Battered Women, Women First, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department-Domestic Violence Unit, Victim Assistance, businesses and the faith community.
Domestic violence related homicides in Mecklenburg County are currently at five for 2006. There were eleven in 2005 and eight victim homicides in 2004.
Event Facts
Ø The memorial event will commemorate the 53 lives lost as a result of domestic violence in North Carolina from January to December of 2006. For a listing of the domestic violence homicide victims to be honored at this event, visit the NCCADV website at http://www.nccadv.org/homicides_2006.htm.
Ø This event is one of more than twenty similar memorial events occurring simultaneously across the state. Each county in North Carolina will host a memorial event.
Ø 53 ribbons created by the DVAC as well as other supporters will adorn the memorial tree. The ceremony will close with the lighting of the tree capturing a message that these fallen victims are shedding light on the issue of domestic violence.
Ø Attendance is free. Community residents are encouraged to attend and continue to work to end domestic violence.
For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our community, call the Mecklenburg County Women's Commission at 704-336-3210 or the Shelter for Battered Women 24-hour hotline at 704-332-2513.
