Workshop on Domestic Violence and Fair Housing Planned in Winston-Salem

Workshop on Domestic Violence and Fair Housing Planned in Winston-Salem

March 12, 2012 | Keri Brown

Domestic violence is one of the most common of all crimes and is the single major cause of injury to women. The Human Relations Department at Family Services Inc. in Winston-Salem and Legal Aid of North Carolina are hosting a free workshop on the dynamics of domestic violence and the role fair housing laws play in the lives of domestic violence victims.

Wanda Allen-Abraha, Director of the Human Relations Department for Winston-Salem, said she hopes the workshop will help eliminate stigmas associated with domestic violence.

The Fair Housing Domestic Violence Workshop is funded in part through a grant under the Fair Housing Initiatives program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmen (HUDD). The event will look at new laws designed to protect survivors and their families.

"There are a lot of victims of domestic violence who are also victims of fair housing discrimination. HUDD has recently issued a rule stating that evicting someone from their home based on the fact that they are victims of abuse is discriminatory," said Allen-Abraha.

The free event is open to the public. Property management, human services and housing professionals are encouraged to attend. Participants can call Family Services Incorporated in Winston-Salem at (336) 722-8173 to register. The registration deadline is March 16.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Family Services on Broad Street in Winston-Salem.