“Domestic Violence: Seems Like it is Here to Stay”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This is an opportunity to understand and expose intimate partner violence. Join us as we seek to define domestic violence, explain the role of the “cycle of violence,” and identify the warning signs of abuse. We will discuss the difficulties of being with an abusive partner and why some individuals chose to stay in those relationships. Finally we talk about how victims can be safe if they stay in, or leave, an abusive relationship.

Margaret (Maggie) Barris has been a therapist for over 25 years. She earned her Masters in Social Work from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Over the course of her career, she worked at the Justice Center in Cleveland, Ohio advocating for victims of domestic violence in the criminal justice system and the Domestic Violence Unit at Family and Children’s Services in Baltimore County. Currently, she is in private practice here in Baltimore.