Press release:
Highline Community College Women's Programs is hosting a weeklong series of events as part of its 29th annual celebration to bring attention to the growing problem of domestic violence in South King County.

"In the last few years we have had an increase in domestic violence referrals," said Women's Programs Coordinator Jean Munro. "We have found the necessity to provide additional resources and programs that will assist individuals who have overcome domestic violence, those encountering this issue now and preventing new cases through education, training and the help of our community organizations such as Domestic Violence Women's Network and the YWCA."

"STOP: Sustain Together, Opportunity and Peace" will feature locally and nationally known speakers, film screenings and a raffle with proceeds benefiting the Women's Programs Emergency Scholarship foundation.

Event: STOP: Sustain Together, Opportunity and Peace
Dates: May 16-20, 2011
Time: Various times
Price: Free and open to the public
Location: Highline Community College's main campus
Highline's main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.
Website: http://womenswkfirst.highline.edu
Sponsored by: Women's Programs and Associated Students of Highline Community College
Events include:
· 11 a.m. May 16, Building 7
Des Moines Police Sargent Harris and the Highline Safety & Security office discuss safety measures and violence prevention on and off campus.
· 10 a.m. May 17, Building 7
Convicted Women Against Abuse founder and member Brenda Clubine discusses preventing domestic violence and avoiding silence while keeping individuals and families safe, as well as her experiences while incarcerated in the California prison system. "Sin by Silence," a documentary about domestic violence, will be screened.
· 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 18, Highline Student Union (Building 8)
Women's Programs will host a raffle with prizes donated by Seattle and South King County businesses and Highline faculty, staff and students. Proceeds benefit Women's Programs Emergency Scholarship foundation.
· Noon to 1 p.m. May 18, Highline Student Union (Building 8)
Highline student shares her experience with domestic violence and homelessness and current successes. In addition, Highline staff members Aaron Reader and Katrina Titchenal and Highline students will recite poetry.
· 1-2 p.m. May 18, Highline Student Union (Building 8)
Women's Programs announces the 2011 Women In Action award winners. Light refreshments will be served.
· 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 19, Building 7
University of Washington School of Social Work staff member Ward Union facilitates a discussion that teaches men to use methods of communication and coping rather than violence or psychological abuse. The Domestic Violence Women's Network (DAWN) also discusses how to recognize the signs of abuse and how to get help and the college's Safety & Security office presents campus safety tips.
12:30-2 p.m. May 20, Building 29, room 102
International Students Leadership Council and Highline's Film Studies program presents the film, "The Burning Bed," a 1984 movie about domestic violence starring Farrah Fawcett. Deana Rader, director of Women's Programs, introduces the film and will host a question-and-answer forum after the screening.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,900 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state's largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green.