Montgomery County Lights the Courthouse for Domestic Violence Awareness

By Jack Costello

On Tuesday evening, October 19th, the Montgomery Bar Association hosted a virtual ceremony to commemorate the annual lighting of the Montgomery County Courthouse purple to raise awareness of Domestic Violence. Unfortunately, our county is not unique in seeing an increase in domestic violence cases and protection from abuse (PFA) orders during the pandemic. Fortunately, our county is well equipped to assist those affected by domestic violence with a robust network of community organizations, as well as a supportive local government and legal community.

As a show of this support, event host Joel B. Bernbaum, Esq., was joined by a number of individuals who work day-in and day-out to help victims of domestic violence, including Judges Hon. Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio and Hon. Kelly C. Wall; Prothonotary Noah Marlier, Esq.; MCAP Executive Director Mary C. Pugh, Esq.; Laurel House Executive Director Beth Sturman; Women’s Center of Montgomery County Executive Director Maria Macaluso; MBA Executive Director Denise Vicario; and MBA President Jacqueline M. Reynolds, Esq.

Speakers, as well as dozens of other attorneys and community members, discussed what our county is doing to combat the problem of domestic violence and how to help those who are victims, including the establishment of the Domestic Violence Legal Network, chaired by Court Administrator Michael R. Kehs, Esq.

If you or someone you know has been victimized by domestic violence, please contact your local police department and visit https://www. montcopa.org/156/Domestic-Violence-Legal-Network.