Helen Ross McNabb Center is hosting a free community awareness event during Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Tuesday, October 8. The event, Flowers on the Water, will be held at The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Junior League of Knoxville, Flowers on the Water will feature a brief program culminating in an inspiring story from a domestic violence survivor.

Following the program, all attendees will be invited to place a flower on the lake to recognize and remember individuals who are affected by domestic violence.

A community information fair will begin at 5 p.m. and will provide information on local resources. In addition, Helen Ross McNabb Center will be accepting donations of new full-size hygiene items; new or “like new” shoes; and new women’s underwear to benefit clients served by the Center’s victim services programming.

Helen Ross McNabb Center provides support and resources, including emergency shelter, for women, men and their children who have experienced domestic violence. The Center operates 24-hour crisis hotline (865-637-8000) for victims to access safety planning and information on emergency shelter, support groups and other domestic violence services.

“Domestic violence is a serious issue in our community,” said Catherine Oaks, director of victim services. “Our goal is to bring awareness to this issue and let people know that there are resources to help them.”

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year. Every 9 seconds, a women in the U.S. is assaulted by a current or ex-significant other.

The Junior League of Knoxville is committed to bringing awareness of domestic violence through this event and their Little Black Dress Initiative. Through that initiative, Junior League seeks to reduce the numbers related to Knoxville’s domestic violence statistics.

Helen Ross McNabb Center is a premier not‐for‐profit provider of behavioral health services in East Tennessee. Since 1948, the Center has provided quality and compassionate care to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, addiction and social challenges. As the Center celebrates more than 70 years of providing services to communities in East Tennessee, its mission remains clear and simple; “Improving the lives of the people we serve.” For more information, visit www.mcnabbcenter.org or call 865‐637‐9711.