ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County is marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month with three events, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, with a training session focused on how domestic violence affects survivors and their families.

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation and passed a resolution earlier this month recognizing October as Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month.

The first event, a professional training session hosted by Helpmate, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Goodwill Workforce Development Center, 1616 Patton Ave. in Asheville.

The training will cover intimate partner violence and its effects on survivors, families and children. Registration is required and costs $25, although fee waivers are available for those who need them. Registration information is available online.

Two more events are planned later this month:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 28: Community members are invited to wear purple and gather for a group photo outside the Buncombe County Family Justice Center, 35 Woodfin St. in Asheville. The event runs from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Purple is the color associated with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29: Helpmate will hold its annual domestic violence vigil from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St. in Asheville. The gathering will include speakers, a survivor’s story, candle lighting, a reading of victims’ names and a musical performance.

More shelter space coming for survivors

The events come as Helpmate prepares to open Joy’s House, a larger emergency shelter for people experiencing domestic violence.

The shelter is expected to officially open in late October, increasing Helpmate’s emergency shelter capacity from 20 to 43.

Helpmate Executive Director April Burgess-Johnson received the county’s proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month.

The organization provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, housing assistance and other services for survivors and their families.

Helpmate is also one of several agencies working together at the Buncombe County Family Justice Center in downtown Asheville.

Where to find help

The Family Justice Center, at 35 Woodfin St., brings multiple agencies together so people experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child maltreatment, human trafficking or elder abuse can get help in one location.

Services include safety planning, counseling, legal assistance, case management and forensic medical examinations.

Partners include Helpmate, Our Voice, the Asheville Police Department, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Pisgah Legal Services and other local organizations.

All Family Justice Center services are free and available in English and Spanish, with interpretation in other languages available.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and accepts walk-ins, appointments and referrals.

For help or more information:

  • Family Justice Center: 828-250-6900
  • Helpmate’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline: 828-254-0516
  • Our Voice’s 24-hour sexual assault hotline: 828-255-7576

Anyone in immediate danger should call or text 911 for help.

More information about the Family Justice Center is available at buncombenc.gov. Details about Helpmate’s services are available at helpmateonline.org.