October 28, 2003

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
New "Lunch & Learn" series begins October 31

Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), in cooperation with the Women's Commission and other businesses and civic groups, will kick off a "Lunch & Learn" program on October 31 with a seminar titled "Get A Grip - Strangulation and Domestic Violence."  The seminar will be held at the CMPD Training Center, 1770 Shopton Road.  Secure a spot in this session by calling Demetrai Johnson at 704-336-2811.
 
Free monthly seminars open to the public will be held each month, starting with a seminar on November 11, and then one on the first Tuesday of each month beginning in December.  These one-hour sessions will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 507 South Tryon Street from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM.  Bring your lunch.
 
Representatives from local help agencies will serve as presenters.  Scheduled seminar topics are:
GET A GRIP - Strangulation & Domestic Violence (October 31, 2003)
*Why batterers strangle
*How victims are affected
*Investigating & prosecuting strangulation cases
 
INVESTIGATE YOUR FUTURE MATE (November 11, 2003)
*Watch for signs of abusive behavior
*Public information through the Internet, Mecklenburg County Jail Web site, VINE-Inmate release information, etc.
 
MENTAL HEALTH IN REGARDS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (December 2, 2003)
*How to detect problems
*What the problems may be telling you
*How to get help
*Issues and concerns for the future
 
UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS / CHARACTERISTICS OF A BATTERER (January 6, 2004)
*Warning signs for an unhealthy relationship
*Fighting fair - healthy arguing
* Why battering occurs
 
CHILDREN WHO WITNESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (February 3, 2004)
*Child Development Community Policing & HERO program
*DSS referrals
*New penalty enhancement for assault in the presence of a minor child (December/2003)

OFFICER RESPONSE AND PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO DV CALLS (March 2, 2004)
*How do the police respond to a domestic violence call?
*What is required of the victim?
*What does an arrest mean to the suspect / victim?
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESSES (April 6, 2004)
*Magistrate's Office / DA's office
* Domestic Violence Court procedures
* No drop policy - victims can't drop charges in DV cases
 
RESTRAINING ORDERS (May 4, 2004)
* Application process
* Violation of 50-B-Criminal
* Retrieving personal property - Sheriff's office
 
STALKING ( June 1, 2004)
* What is stalking?
* Characteristics of a stalker
*  Documentation of what to do if you are being stalked
* Safety Planning
 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY (July 6, 2004)
* Faith community response to DV issues
* Religious family issues with domestic violence
 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE (August 3, 2004)
* Does it occur very often?
* The cost to the employer
* Victim safety
* The effects on other employees
 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRENDS (September 7, 2004)
* DV Homicides
* Domestic calls for service
* Seasonal and holiday increase / decreases in cases
* Lethality factors
 
For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our community, call the Mecklenburg County Women's Commission at (704) 336-3210 or the Shelter for Battered Women 24-hour hotline at (704) 332-2513.