December 12, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GROUP TO HOLD MEMORIAL AND TREE LIGHTING FOR 2005 HOMICIDE VICTIMS

Charlotte, NC - The Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Advocacy Council is inviting the public to participate in a Domestic Violence Memorial Tree ceremony in Uptown Charlotte. The tree lighting event will commemorate the 59 lives lost due to domestic violence in the State of North Carolina this year.

The memorial will take place:

• Thursday, December 15

• 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• 101 Independence Center, 101 North Tryon Street

Free parking for the event is available at the Hal Marshall County Services Center at 700 North Tryon Street or the Seventh Street Station parking garage. A free trolley runs the length of Tryon Street every seven minutes.

The Domestic Violence Advocacy Council is partnering with Cousins Properties and American Financial Realty Trust in this domestic violence public awareness effort. The Council includes representatives from the Mecklenburg County Women’s Commission, Department of Social Services, Sheriff’s Office, Shelter for Battered Women, Women First, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department-Domestic Violence Unit, Victim Assistance, businesses and the faith community.

Domestic violence related homicides in Mecklenburg County are currently at eleven for 2005, up three from eight victim homicides in 2004.

• The memorial event will commemorate the 59 lives lost as a result of domestic violence in North Carolina from January - December 2005. For a listing of the domestic violence homicide victims to be honored at this event, visit the NCCADV Web site at www.nccadv.org/homicides_2005.htm.

• This event is one of more than twenty similar memorial events occurring simultaneously across the state. Each county in North Carolina will host a memorial event.

• Fifty-nine ribbons created by the DVAC as well as other supporters will adorn the memorial tree. The ceremony will close with the lighting of the tree capturing a message that these fallen victims are shedding light on the issue of domestic violence.

• Attendance is free. Community residents are encouraged to attend and continue to work to end domestic violence.

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.