The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) is excited to announce, tickets are on sale now for its 21st Annual Voices of Courage Spring Luncheon. The event will take place on Thursday, May 18th, from 11am to 2pm at the Tokeneke Club in Darien, Connecticut. Event sponsorships and tickets can be purchased at DVCCCT.org. For more information and event details contact Kim Polley at kpolley@dvccct.org or (203) 588-9100 ext. 124.

DVCC is honored to have Tanya Selvaratnam, an award-winning filmmaker and author of the book Assume Nothing, as this year’s guest speaker. Selvaratnam will speak about the book in which she bravely shares her story of intimate abuse suffered while in a relationship with former NY State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. At first, Schneiderman – advocate for women’s rights, prosecutor of Harvey Weinstein – seemed like a dream. After the terrifying end of the relationship, Selvaratnam bravely shares her story with Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow of the New Yorker, which leads to Schneiderman’s downfall and his replacement by Letitia James, the first elected female attorney general of New York State. Selvaratnam shares her personal story and also highlights the domestic violence crisis and its impact on society.

Assume Nothing, is also being developed into a limited series by Amazon Studios. The series will be adapted  from the book, and executive produced by Mimi Won Techentin (Queen Sugar), who also will serve as showrunner. The series will be produced by Joanna Coles, Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Purple Pebble Pictures, and ABC Signature.  Priyanka Chopra Jonas is also in talks to star in the series.

DVCC will be honoring Jacqueline D’louhy with the Voices of Courage Award at the luncheon. Jacqueline D’louhy is the Youth and Family Services Coordinator for the Town of New Canaan. She has worked tirelessly to support individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and to raise awareness in the community for the prevention of domestic abuse. 

All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit DVCC’s mission to provide effective services, support, and education for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence in Connecticut communities, including Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. Last year, DVCC provided services to 3,865 local domestic violence victims. 

“People often think domestic violence doesn’t happen in Fairfield County but I can tell you it does,” said Suzanne Adam, Executive Director, DVCC.  “Voices of Courage is not only fabulous event, it is critical to our mission. Funds raised from the luncheon ensure we will be there to answer the call when a domestic violence victim needs our services.”    

DVCC offers a range of services, including crisis intervention through its 24-hour hotline and two emergency safe houses, adult and youth counseling, legal advocacy, housing and financial sustainability, and prevention education. All of the organization’s victim services are free, confidential, multilingual, and multicultural.