Symposium to discuss violence against women

An outspoken war veteran, a local peace group, and the Dallas County Juvenile Department will convene a symposium to discuss violence against women on Friday, March 22, at 7:00 pm. The Dallas Peace Center, North Texas’ oldest peace and justice organization, will bring Retired Army Colonel and United States Diplomat Ann Wright to speak about violence against women in the military, as well as international and domestic abuses. The event, billed as a candid conversation by «Women For Women Against Violence,» will take place on the second floor room 203A and B at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, 2600 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, 75212.
«A diverse panel of women will explore how violence affects women from every ethnicity, social economic status, and age,» said Terry Smith, Juvenile Services Director of the Dallas County Juvenile Department. «Their personal testimonies about the direct impact of violence will provide information and motivation to help develop workable solutions to this epidemic,» she added.
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes every year. According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline (http://www.thehotline.org), over half of female domestic violence victims live in households with children under the age of 12. In a study of more than 6,000 families in the United States, half of the men who physically abused their wives reportedly also abused their children. Also, older children are frequently assaulted when they interfere to defend or protect the victim. A child’s exposure to domestic violence is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
«We are holding this discussion at the Juvenile Justice Center to emphasize that violence against women and children is a justice and human rights issue that impacts our entire community,» said Kelli Obazee, Executive Director of the Dallas Peace Center. «As we lament youth violence, let us recognize that a key contributing factor in our children acting out is the violence they witness and experience in their homes. Violence is cyclical. Many times the perpetrator is also the victim,» she said.
Panel speakers will include:
Dr. Terry Smith – Executive Director, Dallas County Juvenile Department
Judge William Mazur – 304th District Court Judge
Norma Westurn – Executive Director and Owner of Centro de Mi Salud, LLC
Dr. Hind Jarrah – Executive Director, Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation
Debra Mitchell-Ibe – Program Director of Community Outreach, The Family Place
After hearing the speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in engaging conversation and be inspired to take action against the violence in their lives.
From international anti-war efforts to local criminal justice advocacy, the Dallas Peace Center has worked since 1984 to promote a just and peaceful community and world through reconciliation, education, dialogue and advocacy.
The Dallas County Juvenile Department assists youthful offenders in becoming productive, law-abiding citizens, while promoting public safety and victim restoration.
Press Conference: Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center
2600 Lone Star Drive
Room to be confirmed
Dallas, 75212
Time: 10:00 AM
Event Details: Friday, March 22, 2013
Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center
2600 Lone Star Drive 2nd floor room #203A and B
Dallas, 75212
Program 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Cost: $10