One in three women and one in four men have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Debbie Stanton, Director of the Free Washington Public Library, explains the City of Washington and area partners will be raising awareness about domestic violence throughout October.
The library is hosting a Healthy Relationships Summit on October 14th, which will include a panel discussion with intervention program staff, Department of Human Services staff, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and a survivor of domestic violence. Also, a film titled “Making Marriage Work” will be held following the panel.
Stanton adds, throughout the month of October Washington County residents are encouraged to wear purple to support survivors of domestic violence.
Healthy Relationships Summit
The summit will be at the Washington Public Library on Tuesday, October 14.
12-1 p.m. there will be a Learn at Lunch domestic violence panel discussion with DVIP (Domestic Violence Intervention Program), DHS, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and a survivor of domestic violence. The discussion will be followed by an open house with area organizations from 1-1:30 p.m.Child care will be available during these sessions, and AAUW is providing refreshments.
1:30-2:30 p.m. we will be showing the film “Making Marriage Work” based on the bestselling book “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” by Dr. John Gottman.
4-5 p.m. Librarian Jenisa Hanson will be helping children in grades 1-5 make a friendship quilt to learn about healthy friendships.
4 p.m. Teen Librarian LeAnn Kunz will be showing a young adult movie, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” followed by a group discussion about the film and the healthy and unhealthy relationships highlighted in the story.
6:30 to 7 p.m. Children’s Librarian Jolisa Weidner will be hosting a family “pajama” storytime all about different kinds of families.