Cherokee Domestic Violence Group Named Task Force Of The Year

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA -- District Attorney Shannon Wallace announces that the Georgia Commission on Family Violence has presented its Task Force of the Year Award to the Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force. The honor was bestowed this morning during the Georgia Commission on Family Violence’s 26th annual conference.

The Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force consists of government agencies, community-based agencies, survivors of family violence, and other concerned community members and professionals. The group meets monthly at different law enforcement agencies throughout the county, with the goal to strengthen and sustain coordinated community response to family violence in Cherokee County.

“The District Attorney’s Office is pleased to participate in the work of the Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force,” District Attorney Shannon Wallace said. “This committed group of individuals is making a real impact on Cherokee County by working together to develop an effective response to this serious crime.”

The task force conducts reviews of serious domestic violence cases. One recent case review led to a change in the way special conditions of bond and probation are flagged, improving survivor safety and offender accountability in Cherokee County.

“We are honored to receive this recognition,” said task force co-chair Tommie DeGonzague, legal program director for the Cherokee Family Violence Center. “More than 20 years ago, Cherokee County showed its commitment to addressing the problem of family violence by establishing this task force. That commitment remains today with active members meeting once a month to discuss issues, plan training and events, and ensure victims are provided the services they need.”

In addition to monthly meetings, the task force co-sponsors and hosts community events. Last year, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the task force worked with the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Solicitor General’s Office to host a candlelight vigil and seminar for a local senior center.

“This pandemic has changed a lot about the way we live and work, but the need for a coordinated response to domestic violence remains the same. Incidents of domestic violence have remained steady, or in some cases have increased, since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. We are lucky to have a group that remains committed to ending family violence in our community,” said Task Force Co-Chair Rachel Ashe, assistant district attorney assigned to Cherokee County’s Domestic Violence Unit.

Georgia Commission on Family Violence’s 26th annual family violence conference was held virtually on Sept. 14-16. The theme of the conference was Crafting a Coordinated Community Response: Working Together to Address Relationship Violence. More than 650 local and national stakeholders attended the sold-out conference, including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, advocates, survivors, faith leaders, counselors, and community members.