Cardin to Lead Discussion on Domestic Violence

According to a recently released report, the number of domestic violence incidences continues to increase yearly in Prince George's County.

In order to address this issue, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) will lead a roundtable discussion about domestic violence and the benefits of the Violence Against Women Act Thursday in Upper Marlboro.

Prince George’s Sheriff Melvin High, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks will join Cardin along with representatives from Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, The House of Ruth, and other organizations involved in helping victims of domestic violence.

The report, which was compiled by the county's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, discusses statistics about domestic violence in the county as well as making recommendations on how county organizations can work together to decrease incidents of domestic violence and can support victims.

According to the report, between January 2011 and November 2011, there were 12,979 calls to police about domestic violence in Prince George’s County.

In 2010, there were 10,574 protective order and peace order filings in the county's court systems, or nearly one-fifth of the 50,363 filings statewide. And there have been 56 domestic violence homicides in Prince George's County since 2004.

Read the full report on the House of Ruth's website.