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Summit To End Violence In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- More than 600 people are taking part in a day-long summit to end violence in Minnesota.

Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minnesota Department of Public Health are putting the issue front and center with the "United Against Violence" summit.

Goals of the summit include developing a clear definition of domestic violence and helping to create an action plan.

"It is critical to address what is happening in homes across the Twin Cities and the state when it comes to domestic violence," said Dave Ellis, United Way Basic Needs manager.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Susie Jones Reports

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Ellis said there are many forms of violence, through dating violence and bullying, human trafficking and domestic violence, where women and children are forced to leave their homes.

"The list goes on and on," he said.

Stopping violence starts in the home. Dr. Rob Anda, with the Centers For Disease Control, shared his findings of his Adverse Childhood Experience study.

"It's really the understanding of the affect of stress on brain development," Anda said.

Anda said the long-term problems associated with adversity in childhood are great.

"You know things like truancy, difficulty in school, difficulty in learning, substance abuse, teen pregnancy," he said.
 
Anda said the key to ending violence is awareness, and a willingness to speak out and get involved.

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