Dec. 2, 2008

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEMORIAL TREE HONORS VICTIMS

Charlotte, NC – 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 68 lives lost due to domestic violence in the State of North Carolina this year.

The memorial will take place:

Tuesday, December 9
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
CMPD Headquarters, 601 East Trade Street, Main Lobby 

Free parking for the event is available in the public parking area and parking deck at the Police Department's headquarters. CATS' Red Line (a free trolley) runs from Tryon Street to McDowell Street and back every seven minutes.

The Domestic Violence Advocacy Council is partnering with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department 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, United Family Services' Shelter for Battered Women, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Youth Crimes & Domestic Violence Unit, United Family Services' Victim Assistance, local businesses and the interfaith community.

Domestic violence related homicides in Mecklenburg County are currently at seven for 2008.  There were ten in 2007, six in 2006, eleven domestic violence related homicides in 2005 and eight victim homicides in 2004.

>     The memorial event will commemorate the 68 lives lost as a result of domestic violence in North Carolina from January to December 2008.  For a listing of the domestic violence homicide victims to be honored at this event, visit http://dvac.charmeck.org and click on 2008 DV Homicides.

>     68 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.

>     Attendance is free.  Community residents are encouraged to attend and continue to work to end domestic violence.

>     The tree was donated by Home Depot #3646 at 4750 South Blvd.

For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our community, call Mecklenburg County Community Support Services' Women's Commission at 704-336-3210 or the United Family Services' Shelter for Battered Women 24-hour hotline at 704-332-2513.

For more information on this event and other domestic violence public awareness efforts, go to http://dvac.charmeck.org or please call Mike Sexton at 704-432-1568 (O) or 704-900-9346 (M) or Michael.Sexton@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov  

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Media contact: Michael Sexton (O) 704-432-1568 (M) 704-900-9346 or Michael.Sexton@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov