Events call out domestic violence

This week, the YWCA Lake County will host its Week Without Violence, an anti-violence outreach campaign across Lake County to raise awareness about violence.

"Enough!" is this year's central theme.

"One out every three women has been a victim of domestic violence. Murder is the leading cause of death for all pregnant women," said Elizabeth Forbrich, executive director of the YWCA Lake County. "It is time to say enough is enough and speak out about all aspects of what perpetuates violence and how to stop it from happening in our communities."

The YWCA Lake County kicked off the Week Without Violence by hosting a peace walk featuring children from its program sites in North Chicago and Waukegan.

The YWCA will next hold an anti-violence rally at 11 a.m. today at Waukegan's Alternative Options Education Center.

At the rally, there will be a panel discussion about violence. Panelists will include Detective Michael Taylor of the Waukegan Police Department; Damaris Lorta of the YWCA, who has a background in domestic violence advocacy, and Ennedy Rivera, an attorney with Wisocki and Smith.

Panelists will discuss various forms of violence from gang to domestic violence and how to get help and what do in a violent situation.

Also today, the YWCA in partnership with the College of Lake County's Women's Center and the National Immigrant Justice Center will host a speaker who will discuss human trafficking at 7 p.m. in room C002. Claudia Morales of the NJIC will discuss signs to look for if someone suspects a person is a victim of human trafficking, what resources are available and offer testimonials from victims.

To address discrimination and hate crimes, the YWCA will show the film "Crash" at 6 p.m. Friday at the College of Lake County room C005. The event is free to attend.

"The film 'Crash' shows what racism is now and encourages the observer to understand it from all view points," Forbrich said.

Before the film, a free dinner will be provided, and there will be an open discussion about racism and violence afterward.

The YWCA Lake County, in conjunction with A Safe Place and North Chicago Community High School's National Honors Society, will host a Clothesline Project to be displayed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the YWCA Lake County's Health Fair.

Along with the Clothesline Project, there will be a silent witness project display highlighting victims.

The T-shirts for the project will be filled out during the Week Without Violence and will include shirts from A Safe Place to show the full impact of domestic violence in Lake County.

The shirts were collected through a drive held by the National Honor Society.