More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (Centers for Disease Control, 2010). Domestic and dating violence are happening at school, work, and in the community.
To discuss what is happening and how to support our community members, Project PEACE is hosting Kate Ranta, a local domestic and gun violence survivor, and community leaders Theo Stamos, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and City of Falls Church and Christa Carlton, Director of Domestic and Sexual Programs at Doorways for Women and Families, for a community conversation about sex, violence and the Arlington community. The event takes place Thursday, October 4th 6:30pm, at the Walter Reed Community Center, 16th Street S, Arlington, VA 22204.
Kate Ranta is the mother of two boys, a marketing professional and a survivor of domestic and gun violence. She and her father survived two bullets each when her ex-husband shot them. The couple’s young son witnessed the shooting. Kate has been an activist for nearly six years, appeared in documentary films, and in national media. She leverages her story to raise awareness about violence against women and the deadly intersection between domestic abuse and gun violence.
Theo Stamos, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church states “My office has always held the belief that victims must be championed and offenders must be held accountable. However, domestic violence occurs every day in Arlington County that never touches the criminal justice system. All of us need to take a stand against all forms of domestic violence, wherever it occurs. We must continue to strive to be a community where neighbors can rely on one another for support and to make Arlington County a safer place for everyone.”
Arlington County Project PEACE is a coordinated community response dedicated to advancing the most effective and efficient array of education, prevention, protection, and support services to end domestic and sexual violence in the community. This event includes descriptions of violence and may not be appropriate for young children.