The Darker Side of Paradise

Does San Juan County Have a Domestic Violence Problem?

— from Diane Martindale, President, League of Women Voters of the San Juans —

Domestic violence and sexual assault are problems that exist in our community. On Monday, April 13 the League of Women Voters of the San Juans will host a panel discussion about these serious and often invisible issues and measures under way to deal with them.

The meeting will take place at noon at the San Juan Island Library in Friday Harbor from noon to 2 p.m. All interested people are invited.

Our speakers will be:

• Kim Bryan, Executive Director, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juans
• Ron Krebs, San Juan County Sheriff
• Sandra Burt, Victim Assistance for DV/SA in the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, San Juan County.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that approximately 85 percent of abuse victims are women, but abuse and assault also affect children, men, elders and individuals in gay and lesbian relationships. Our speakers will tell us about the scope of these problems locally, what they do in their work to address these problems, challenges still needing to be met and ways community members can help.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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