WASHINGTON ANNOUNCES “WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE”

            HARRISBURG, October 23 — In an effort to raise awareness and focus attention on domestic violence, state Sen. Leanna M. Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) will host a “Walk Against Domestic Violence” in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 25.

            “It is important that we put a spotlight on this crime that goes largely unreported and undetected in our community,” Washington said.  “It is my hope that you all will join me to fight against the atrocities being committed against women and children by those who are supposed to love them.”

The 5k walk will raise much-needed funds for the city’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline.  Registration for the event starts at 8:30 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on the South Lawn behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Martin Luther King Drive (West River Drive).

            Each year, approximately 80,000 Pennsylvanians are victims of domestic violence.  According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on a single day in November 2006, more than 2,477 adults and children in Pennsylvania sought the services of domestic violence agencies.  In 2007, 93 victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania lost their lives, including nine children.

            “Pennsylvania still has so much to do,” Washington said.  “This walk is just one way to put the focus on domestic abuse.

 “This will be the first major walk in Philadelphia,” Washington said.  “I am asking all of you to come down to Philadelphia and take a walk with me.  It is time to stop domestic violence, and stop it now!”

Washington will be joined at this event by Kristen Welker, a NBC 10 News team reporter.  Ms. Welker will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event. Ms. Welker was a reporter and weekend morning anchor at WLNE-TV in Providence, Rhode Island. Prior to that, she worked as an anchor and reporter at KRCR-TV in Redding, California.        

Early in her career, Welker worked as a researcher on NBC Weekend Today, and as an assistant producer for CBS Newspath.

Sen. Washington is also asking participants to donate their old cell phones so they can be refurbished for use by victims in an emergency.