Several community events and activities are scheduled in Clallam County during October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The events and activities are sponsored by the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force of Clallam County and Prevention Works! A Community Coalition of Clallam County.
The two groups have adopted the forget-me-not flower as a symbol for the month. Local members and agencies will be offering flower seed packets as a fundraiser for domestic violence prevention efforts in the community. A minimum donation of $1 is asked to support future activities and programs in the county.
Yard signs in the shape of large forget-me-not flowers with special domestic violence awareness messages are being placed in numerous locations in Forks, Sequim and Port Angeles. Those wishing to have signs placed at their home or business are asked to call Susan Hillgren of Prevention Works! at 360-670-4363. For information about domestic violence or to purchase the forget-me-not flower seed packets, please call Healthy Families of Clallam County at 452-3811 or Forks Abuse Center at 360-374-6411.
A free traveling Silent Witness exhibit on domestic violence will be visiting the cities on the Olympic Peninsula between Saturday, Oct. 18, and Thursday, Oct. 23. Here is the schedule:
Saturday, Oct. 18 – Sequim Public Safety Fair, Carrie Blake Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 20‚ – Forks, Bank of America, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with a noon vigil
Tuesday, Oct. 21 – Port Angeles, Estuary Park at Front and Valley streets, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with a noon vigil
Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Sequim, Bank of America at Washington Street and Sequim Avenue, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with a noon vigil
Thursday, Oct. 23 – Port Townsend, Jefferson County Courthouse lawn, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The vigils will include speakers, reflection and information. The Silent Witness exhibits and vigils are open to the public and are free of charge.
The following are 24-hour crisis hotlines available for anyone involved in a domestic violence situation who needs immediate help.
Forks Abuse Program, Forks area, 360-374-2273; Healthy Families of Clallam County, Port Angeles and Sequim, 452-HELP (4357); Domestic Violence, Jefferson County, 360-385-5291; state toll free hotline, 800-562-6025.
