Every year the month of October is dedicated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this month of awareness, have you ever wondered what courts do with people convicted of domestic violence crimes? Do you know what impact domestic violence has on victims, defendants, families, prosecutors, defense attorneys, taxpayers, and even judges? One could guess or assume, but one could also get the real facts by attending “Preventing Domestic Violence through Knowledge” at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Todd Beamer High School.

The program features a panel with real victims of domestic violence similar to the type of panel defendants must attend as a condition of sentence. A panel discussion will follow with questions and answers from the audience. The discussion will include Chief Justice Barbara Madsen of the Washington Supreme Court, Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, nationally renowned domestic violence expert Roland Maiuro, Ph.D., and criminal defense counsel Pat Valerio from the Associated Counsel for the Accused.

“Preventing Domestic Violence through Knowledge” is sponsored by the Federal Way Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response Steering Committee and the Todd Beamer High School Street Law class. The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. For more information, call (253) 835-2405.

We hope to see you there.