Domestic Violence Is Topic Of UNC-TV Healthwise
Thursday, October 27, at 8 PM

According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, battering is more than physical abuse-it is a pattern of domination enforced by violence. In such relationships, batterers try to control every piece of their victims' lives, from the friends they see to the clothes they wear. Since the beginning of 2005, 42 people in North Carolina have died as a result of domestic violence; 82 were killed last year.

In recognition of October as "Domestic Violence Month," UNC-TV presents Healthwise: Domestic Violence LIVE on Thursday, October 27, at 8 PM. Host Christine Rogers moderates a panel of domestic violence experts including policy makers, activists, outreach professionals, law enforcement officers, and victims of domestic violence. In addition, viewers will be able to call in with questions. For anyone who wishes to continue discussing this sensitive subject after the program, an online discussion board will be available at www.unctv.org/healthwise.

Serving on the panel are Lisa Angel, chair, North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission; Tanisha Bagley, survivor & author, The Price of Love; Ivonne Ortiz, immigration outreach specialist, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence; William Polk, director, N.C. Attorney General's office, Victims and Citizens Services Section; and Karen Parker Thompson, director, Domestic Violence Service, United Family Services.

Panelists will discuss a variety of topics, including defining domestic violence, North Carolina laws and policies, and protecting victims of domestic violence. In August 2005, when the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1029 into law, North Carolina became the second state in the nation to enact comprehensive legislation to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking against tenant discrimination. This year the General Assembly also passed House Bill 569 from the House Select Committee on Domestic Violence to create a permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence that will examine domestic violence issues in order to make recommendations to the General Assembly on ways to reduce incidences of domestic violence and to provide additional assistance to victims.

UNC-TV hopes that viewers will tune in to increase their own awareness about domestic violence issues, whether or not they have ever known someone who has been victimized by it. Anyone who misses the live broadcast on October 27 at 8 PM can watch it on UNC-TV's digital education channel, UNC-ED, November 4 at 7 PM.

UNC-TV is North Carolina's only statewide broadcasting system, made possible through a unique partnership of public investment and private support. UNC-TV's commitment to producing and broadcasting local and national programs about our state resources make it one of the state's most important sources of information. For more information about UNC-TV and its programs, please visit www.unctv.org.

-UNC-TV-