In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Collin County Council on Family Violence (CCCFV), an initiative of the Junior League of Collin County, will host “The White Ribbon Rally” and “The 11th Annual Facing Family Violence Conference” to educate and aid the North Texas community and its first responders. The inaugural rally is set for Oct. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Collin College Spring Creek Atrium. Similar to the “Men Against Abuse” event recently hosted by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, this free event will encourage the men of Collin County to take a stand against domestic violence.
The rally will feature speakers and civic leaders from across the county and live music. Local agencies will be on hand to provide resources for community services and volunteer opportunities. For information about the White Ribbon Rally, visit www.ccc-fv.org . On Oct. 24-25, the Collin County Council on Family Violence will host its “11th Annual Facing Family Violence Conference” at the Collin College Spring Creek Campus Conference Center. This conference will feature workshops and discussions that will equip cross-discipline professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice, social work and professional counseling, health care, and faith-based organizations with tools for performing their roles with family violence victims more effectively. Workshop topics include “Battered Women Charged With Crimes,” “The Intersection of Family Violence and Human Trafficking,” “Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Within the African American Community,” “Using a Team Approach to Treat Domestic Violence and Child Abuse,” “Children Abusing Their Parents” and “The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children.” Keynote will be Melissa Moore, author of Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter and a survivor of domestic and child abuse. Moore is an advocate for child safety and the protection of violence survivors.
The $150 registration for the conference includes breakfast, plenary sessions, lunch and workshops and can be made online at http://ccc-fv.org/events/cccfv-conference. Continuing education credits are available including the Ethics Component. Nurses, counselors, and law enforcement may all earn credit through participation as well as ample opportunities for professional development, networking, and group problem solving.