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Survivors urge survivor‑informed policy and more shelter, housing and public information
Summary
Multiple survivors and advocates told the council that racial disparities, lack of shelter beds and unclear restraining‑order procedures hinder survivor safety. Commenters urged investments in perpetrator‑focused interventions and clearer public guidance on obtaining protections.
Several survivors who spoke at the town‑hall urged the council to center survivors' needs in policy and funding decisions and to address racial disparities in access to care. Alicia Stoopson (self‑identified as a local nonprofit CEO and survivor) highlighted how domestic violence compounds racial trauma and argued for health‑focused interventions for people of color.
"Prince George's County has a population of 62% of African American citizens," Stoopson said while urging the county to treat domestic violence as a health issue, not solely a criminal justice matter. Ebony Bethea, a lifelong county resident and social worker, called for survivor‑informed legislation and for investment in programs that hold perpetrators accountable: "Put money, invest in that."
A survivor who spoke about a high‑profile case recounted trouble accessing restraining orders and safety planning and urged public service announcements with clear instructions on how to get help. Commenters and council members also raised a repeated operational gap: shelters and transitional housing are frequently full, making it difficult for survivors to leave unsafe homes even when they want to do so.
