VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES TOPIC OF SEMINAR

A seminar on domestic violence awareness will be held Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Rev. Bonita Sparks, associate minister at Centenary, said that domestic violence, which includes emotional and psychological abuse as well as physical, affects at least one in three families.

The presentation includes the video "Broken Vows" and discussion.

The seminar will conclude with a panel to respond to questions. The panelists include: educator Cherie Worth; Bonnie Gerecke and Deborah Willis of the Safe House for Women; Kathleen Wolz, a Cape Girardeau attorney; Capt. Steven Strong of the Cape Girardeau Police Department; and the Rev. Sparks, who also serves as chaplain for the Safe House.

The program is open to the public. Those attending are asked to bring a brown bag lunch. Beverages will be provided.

There is no fee for the seminar, but persons are asked to call the Centenary United Methodist Church office at 334-2869 to register.

Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center are co-sponsors of the seminar.