LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, EXPERTS LAUNCH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

 (Omaha, NE) – The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, or DVCC, together with the Attorney General’s Office, Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, area prosecutors and representatives from Catholic Charities, the YWCA and Heartland Family Services today launched a public awareness campaign called The Silence Stops Here.

The campaign is designed to encourage citizens of the Omaha metro and across Nebraska to ask for help if they or someone they know is a victim of domestic violence.

“The recent homicides in Omaha are a tragic reminder that domestic violence is a serious social issue that affects every community,” said Karen Hadley, Executive Director of the DVCC.

During the next month, the DVCC and its community partners will concentrate their ongoing efforts to provide educational materials and advice to help friends and family know what to say to help those who may be involved in a volatile relationship.

“One word of encouragement or one act of support can mean the difference between life and death for someone in an abusive relationship,” Attorney General Jon Bruning said.

The Silence Stops Here campaign is not only to alert the community to this important issue, but also to reassure residents that the DVCC and its partners continue to work diligently to promote effective prevention, intervention, and treatment techniques for individuals and groups working with domestic violence victims and offenders.

Show your support by visiting local restaurants participating in The Silence Stops Here campaign, July 25, 2006.  The list of participating restaurants will be updated daily.