Domestic violence and sexual assaults are serious problems that can affect individuals, families, and communities. To better understand the issues and their impact, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Nevada County Branch and Community Beyond Violence (CBV) are presenting a virtual public awareness forum, “Domestic and Sexual Violence: How it Touches Us All,” on Saturday, January 30, 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
This livestream awareness forum can be viewed on January 30 at: www.nevadacountymedia.org, click Watch Now, or live on: COMCAST CHANNEL 11 or SUDDENLINK CHANNEL 16. A recorded presentation will also be available after February 5 at: www.nevadacountymedia.org, click Watch Now.
“Domestic and Sexual Violence: How it Touches us All” will feature a panel of experts, including representatives from behavioral health, forensic medicine, law enforcement, education, the legal system, and relationship groups for men and women.
Forum speakers include Brett McFadden, Superintendent of Schools, Nevada Union Joint High School District; Chris Walsh, Nevada County Assistant District Attorney; Detective Chris Roberds of the Grass Valley Police Department; Dr. Angela Vickers, OB/GYN, Medical Forensic Examiner with the BEAR Clinic in Sacramento; Frank McClain, Men’s Group Facilitator at Community Beyond Violence; Lila Reyna, Survivor and Creator of Action Awareness Training; and James Pritchett, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Community Beyond Violence.
“The statistics surrounding domestic and sexual violence are staggering,” notes Stephanie Fischer, CBV executive director. According to the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NIPSVS), 32.9 percent of women living in California have, at some point in their lives, been the victim of violence, sexual assault, or stalking by an intimate partner. That adds up to more than 4.5 million women now living in California who have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. “It’s important to recognize that domestic and sexual violence is not limited to women,” she says, pointing to the National Coalitional Against Domestic Violence statistic that nationally one in nine men experience domestic/intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence.
“Besides building awareness of domestic and sexual violence, our goal for this forum is to offer resources for responding to this violence and helping reduce the incidence locally and beyond,” adds Carolyn Feuille, AAUW Nevada County Branch Public Policy Chair. “We look forward to a thought-provoking discussion of a topic that too often goes unspoken.”
For more than 75 years, the AAUW Nevada County Branch has been striving to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. For more information: www.nevadacounty-ca.aauw.net or call 530-470-9395.
Community Beyond Violence’s mission is to offer resources for building healthy relationships and to work with community partners to provide services for healing the effects of interpersonal violence. For more information: www.cbv.org. Their 24-Hour Crisis Line is 530 272-3467. All services are free, confidential, and non-discriminatory.