Progress on Domestic Violence Theme of 6th Annual Partnership Luncheon

Upper Marlboro, MD…Sheriff Melvin C. High and the Office of the Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) hosted over 165 guests at Newton White Mansion Monday at the 6^th Domestic Violence Partnership Luncheon. Of the luncheon, Sheriff High said, “We started the luncheon six years ago to bring together all of the partners who do this work together, to look back over the last  year’s work and to consider how we can make progress going forward.”

The Keynote speaker, Dr. Patricia Bent-Goodley, Professor of Social Work and Chair of the Prince George’s County Lethality Review Team (PGCFRT), in ‘From where we started…’ spoke retrospectively about the work that’s been done to combat domestic violence in the county. Dr. Bent-Goodley urged guests to be encouraged, saying “Prince George’s County has come a long way, we’ve made great progress, and we are on the right track.”

Having worked extensively with other jurisdictions on domestic violence, Dr. Bent-Goodley noted the importance of best-practice developments in Prince George’s County, such as the Family Justice Center and Sheriff’s Deputies’ response protocol in domestic violence calls-for-service. She also highlighted the need to incorporate lessons learned from the work of the FRT into awareness programming and service modules, and including the male perspective on domestic violence.

In his closing remarks, Sheriff High invited guests to join him in reaching the goal of making Prince George’s County the jurisdiction in the state with the lowest number of domestic violence incidents and domestic violence homicides.  

Kaiser Permanente, the presenting sponsor of the luncheon, was represented by Ms. Mindy Rubin, who spoke about domestic violence in the context of community safety, and social and emotional well-being. Ms. Rubin shared information on some of Kaiser’s Community Health 

Initiatives around nutrition, with schools, and with government and community organizations.  

Sheriff High was joined by Nicholas Majett, Chief Administrative Officer and Betty Hager Francis, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services, and Education, who spoke about the county’s commitment and progress in the fight against domestic violence. Betty Hewlett, Chair, Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission also spoke about the importance of ending family and domestic violence. Police Chief Hank Stawinski and Fire/EMS Chief Barksdale also attended. 

  

Well-known radio and marketing personality Justine Love MC’d the luncheon as she did six years ago when the luncheon was first held at a venue outside of Sheriff Headquarters.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354. Photos of the luncheon are available at www.pgsheriff_blogspot.com

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