Emery County Domestic Violence Coalition Sponsors Annual Program in the Park for Awareness Month

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. It takes on many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, verbal and psychological abuse by an intimate partner.
The main factor in domestic violence relationships is one partner using power and control over the other. Domestic violence is no longer perceived to be solely a private matter. It is also a societal problem. Not only are the abuser and abused impacted, but so are the children, extended family members, co-workers and others. The Emery County Domestic Violence Coalition believes that partner abuse warrants a community wide response. The coalition knows that only with education about domestic violence and by working together as members of a community can we provide intervention to families.
One statistic that prevails today is that women who leave their abusive partners are at a 75 percent greater risk of being killed by the partner than those who stay. (Domestic violence Fact Sheet, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Washington, D.C.) This year, the Emery County Domestic Violence Coalition will sponsor our sixth annual Program in the Park. The program will be held at the Castle Dale City Park on Oct. 13 from noon-1 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Dolly Martinez. Dolly is a domestic violence family survivor. Her daughter Valarie was stalked and murdered by a former boyfriend in Salt Lake City in 2001. Dolly will tell Valarie’s story and show some of her artwork. Dolly will share her insights about partner abuse and the emotional impact it had on her family. The program is free to the public and lunch will be provided by the coalition. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the old court house on the second floor.
The Emery County Domestic Violence Coalition expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Holiday Inn in Price for donating hotel accommodations to its guests.
If you or someone you know needs more information about domestic violence, call Kathy at 381-4743 or the Utah State resource line at 1-800-897-5465 (LINK).