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Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its September meeting Tuesday at the ADAPT Office in Bogalusa.

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) presented a program on domestic violence awareness. Paula Charles, Managing Attorney, gave an overview of data. According to Charles, Louisiana has the fifth highest rate of domestic violence of women in the nation. Louisiana is 85 percent higher than the rest of the nation in women that are murdered by men. Don Sauviac discussed the free services that SLLS provides for those who have been affected by domestic violence, including Protective Orders. SLLS offers services at the ADAPT Office in Franklinton every Monday.

Charles announced that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. More information can be obtained by visiting www.lcadv.org.

Attendees of the September meeting included: (in person) Gloria Kates, Glory Davis, Rusty Fornea, Rhonda Gunnell, Joey Peterson, Leslie Holmes, Regina Meyerchick, Bobbie Kimbrell, Ginger Champagne, Don Sauviac, Paula Charles, Tiffany Whitley, Rosa Moses, Taffy Morrison, Bethany Hunt, Leona Magee, Erica French, Wendy Castillo, Lauren Franklin, Stephanie Seal and Maddie Champagne; (via Zoom) Demetria Dantzler, Felishia Jenkins, Omar Braggs, Kal Roshto, Paul Mathes, Cynthia Walls, Malinda White and Marty Hennegan.

The next scheduled meeting for WPCHS will be on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 9:30 a.m. at the ADAPT Office, 216 Memphis St. in Bogalusa. State Rep. Malinda White will be the guest speaker. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Rusty Fornea at 985-735-0160.