To the editor:

The Vicksburg Domestic Violence Victims’ Empowerment Program is facilitated by the Vicksburg Municipal Court and funded by a VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program through the Mississippi Department of Health – Office Against Interpersonal Violence. 

Those who work with the program have the ultimate goal of making sure that every victim of domestic violence who is involved in a case before the Court has access to the services available.

One of the goals of the program for the 2017-18 grant year was to increase awareness through public outreach and training. The inaugural Vicksburg Domestic Violence Conference on Aug. 18 was the result of that collaboration and planning.  Attendees ranged from seasoned law enforcement personnel to those affected by domestic violence personally or through family members.

One of the highlights of the event was a special presentation by the Sex Trafficking Institute based out of Phoenix, Arizona. With more than 100 people in attendance, the conference was a great success thanks to the support of the following:

Mayor George Flaggs Jr., North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield Sr. and South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour

Chief Milton Moore and Lt. Penny Jones of the Vicksburg Police Department

Ricky Smith, District Attorney

Sheriff Martin Pace

Wendy Mahoney, Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Lark Johnson with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office

Angela Carpenter, Assistant District Attorney, Ninth Judicial District

Chris Counts, United States Probation Office

Oneka Washington, CAP Center

Timothy Woods, Good Solider Mixed Martial Arts

Cindy McCarley, Warren County Children’s Shelter

Timberlyn Roby, Warren-Yazoo Mental Health

Anna Tillotson, Haven House Family Shelter

Marcia Weaver and Nancy Allen with the City of Vicksburg Planning Department

William Nettle and Cherese Pendleton, Vicksburg TV23

Artis Williams, Vicksburg City Auditorium

Alberta Wheeler

Mu Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Chik-fil-A

Larry Prentiss and LDs Catering

The Vicksburg Post

All of those in attendance

We are looking forward to next year’s conference.

Toni W. Terrett

Municipal Court Judge and facilitator for Vicksburg Domestic Violence Victims’ Empowerment Program

Committee Members:

Julie Decker, Trina Naylor, Penny Jones, Anna Tillotson, Krystal Hamlin, Kimberly Turner, Danielle Williams, Georgia Grodowitz, Stacey Waites