Program gets businesses involved in fight against domestic violence

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — There’s a new program in New Hanover County to get businesses involved in the fight against domestic violence.

Experts say businesses lose up to $5 billion each year due to medical expenses related to domestic violence.

The City of Wilmington is joining the county, the hospital, UNCW and Verizon Wireless in a new program to keep their employees safe.

The “Evolve” program gives businesses guidelines to follow if someone at work is the victim of domestic violence.

New Hanover County Public Information Officer Mark Boyer said, “The county unfortunately has had its experience with a fellow co-worker of mine, for instance, was murdered by her estranged husband in 2002. And that sort of got everyone thinking what can we do to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

For more information visit http://www.domesticviolence-wilm.org/youcanhelp.php.