Domestic violence presentation

The MHCC criminal justice department will host its annual forum, Domestic Violence from the Law Enforcement Perspective, from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Visual Arts Theater.

Chris Gorsek, MHCC criminal justice instructor and state representative in the Oregon Legislature, will be the key speaker at the free event.

Gorsek is a former Portland police officer and will address domestic violence and dating violence, as well as the evolution of police law regarding domestic violence over the past 50 years.

“It is something I encountered all the time in law enforcement duties and it continues to be an issue,” he said.

Gorsek hopes those who attend the event will understand that “No. 1, it is not in any one particular group,” he said. “It crosses all economic, racial, religious barriers and… No. 2, that the most important thing you can do in a situation like this, even if people go back (to their abusers) several times, is to be supportive.”

Anyone affected by domestic violence or who are interested in the subject are encouraged to attend.