Elrich Wants Us to Get Moving & Support Victims of Domestic Abuse

For immediate release Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is going to get on his elliptical trainer or take a walk around the neighborhood in between his myriad of meetings to support the Montgomery County Justice Center Foundation’s first ever Virtual 11k. There is still time to participate during the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Participants can walk, run or stroll 11k (6.835 miles) any time, any place. Cost is $35.00 plus a $3.00 signup fee. Registration runs through October 30, 2020 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Elrich, a former teacher, said there were times during his career he could see there were children having trouble at home, possibly witnessing or experiencing abuse. "I felt so badly for those children who had no one to go to. At that time, the Family Justice Center did not exist, and it has always bothered me. It was also heard to talk with parent about what life was like at home. Basically, you would tell them to see a counselor.”

Elrich was at the opening of the Family Justice Center and lauded the work of former Council member Duchy Trachtenberg who was a leading force in creating the Center to bring coordinated government services to domestic violence victims and Sheriff Darren Popkin whose office supports the program.

“The Sheriff realized what a real breakthrough the Center would be for our community. It is so different for victims when they can go to the FJC. You are there and you are safe. All of us had the feeling there was more we could do about domestic violence in the county, and this was the moment.”

The County Executive stressed that more people must be aware that there is a place to go when a person feels trapped with their abuser. “We need to be especially vigilant. Checking in with friends and family and paying attention.”

He was especially laudatory about the Choose Respect program that brings educational curriculum to teens in the County. At the 2019 Choose Respect conference it was noted that one in three females and one in seven males report facing teen dating violence, one in 10 Maryland high school students report experiencing physical violence in a dating relationship and one in 10 report suffering sexual dating violence in a dating relationship.

At a time when budgets are maxed out, the County Executive emphasized the importance of events like this that raise money and provide awareness about the issue. “The County provides help to the extent we can," he said.

“We need more help from the community. It takes a village and when people are vocal about an issue, we listen. This is something we must do. If we don’t help now, we will pay in other ways for a long time to come.”

Catherine Albornoz, Chair of the 11K agrees. “We are grateful to the County Executive and County Council members for their long-term support of and partnership with the Family Justice Center Foundation. We thank them for putting their commitment into action as participants in this 11k race to help pave the way to safety for domestic violence victims. As COVID has exacerbated the issue of domestic violence, we count on their leadership in this area now more than ever!”

The virtual 11K has a goal of raising $25,000 from individuals and teams and $50,000 through business sponsorships.

Link to the website is: https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/YourTown/VirtualFJC11k Options include signing up as an individual or putting together or joining a team.