A local contestant on ABC’s reality shows “Bachelor Pad” and “The Bachelor” will speak on domestic violence at Pellissippi State Community College’s candlelight tea on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 11 a.m. The tea is being held in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Ella Nolan, a native East Tennessean and former contestant, will share her story to help others understand the seriousness of the growing problem of domestic violence and the impact it has on our communities. Other speakers are Steve Smith, instructor in Sociology, and a Pellissippi State student.
“We have students come into the Counseling office who are in abusive relationships,” said Kim Bays, a Pellissippi State counselor. “As a matter of fact, statistics say that one out of two women in America will find themselves in an abusive relationship. It’s our hope at Pellissippi State to fight domestic violence by providing education and support.”
The event will include a display of t-shirts with personal messages regarding domestic violence. Bins will also be on hand to collect donations of personal care and baby items for area shelters.
The event is cosponsored by Pellissippi State’s Counseling office, the Knoxville YWCA, the Knox County Health Department and the Knoxville Family Justice Center. It will be held in the College Center in the Goins Administration Building on the Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. It is free and open to the public.
To request accommodations for a disability, contact the executive director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action at (865) 694-6607 or humanresources@pstcc.edu.