CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina joins the Justice Department, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), and communities across the district in observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
Each year, DVAM is an opportunity to recommit to addressing domestic violence using every available resource and to strengthen our partnerships with law enforcement, victim service organizations, and community partners to ensure justice and safety for victims and survivors.
“There is no excuse for domestic violence. It creates a terrifying situation that is extraordinarily difficult for victims, and fighting and preventing it is our shared responsibility,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “My office is committed to pursuing justice for victims and survivors, holding offenders accountable, and working with our law enforcement and community partners to prevent domestic violence and connect those it impacts with resources they need to ensure safety and recovery.”
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson, along with other members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, regularly engage in domestic violence prevention and intervention activities throughout the year such as touring shelters, visiting service providers, identifying federal grants, and attending events to stand in solidarity with victims and survivors. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to amplify and emphasize those regular activities.
On October 22 at 10:30 a.m., U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson will host a Facebook Live discussion centered on domestic violence. U.S. Attorney Ferguson will be joined by a federal prosecutor, a survivor of domestic violence, and a representative from Safe Alliance, an organization that provides services and support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, to discuss the impact of domestic violence, the role of the U.S. Attorney’s Office role in enforcing federal laws to protect victims, including federal firearm prohibitions that apply to certain domestic violence offenders, and resources available to victims and survivors. Please join us for this important conversation at Facebook.com/usaoWDNC .
For more information on domestic violence, visit the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women .
If you need help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Western District of North Carolina — U.S. Department of Justice press release.