The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the Board of Health, will host Prevent and Respond: A Panel Discussion on the Health Impacts of Domestic Violence on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and according to law enforcement, domestic violence cases are up 13% in the county, and make up a large percentage of homicides.
Nationally more than 12 million men and women are victims of domestic violence every year, and 35% of women and 28% of men have been victims of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
While some domestic violence behaviors are crimes, other acts are not illegal, like name calling, interrogating children, or denying access to the family vehicle. Criminal and non-criminal behaviors interact with each other and can have profound physical and psychological consequences. The Panel discussion will explore the complexity of domestic violence and bring together key perspectives on health, safety net resources, and public safety.
Panelists include PGPD Chief Malik Aziz; Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr; Dr. Denise McCain, Director of Prince George’s County Family Justice Center; Dr. Elizabeth Aparicio, University of Maryland School of Public Health Associate Professor; and Christine Cooley, Manager of the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center at University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.
Community members are invited to attend, and can sign up to speak or provide comments HERE.
The panel discussion will be held in the Council Hearing Room at The Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Dr. Largo, MD 20774.