Prince William County will host free virtual training sessions in October to address the relationship between problem gambling and violence, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Office of Community Safety and Prince William Community Services are organizing the sessions, which are open to both professionals and community members.
The first session, titled “Intersection of Problem Gambling and Domestic Violence,” is scheduled for October 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The second session, “Gambling Prevalence, Behaviors and Risks Among Diverse Populations,” will take place on October 29 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Recent changes in gambling laws and the opening of casinos in the region have increased concerns about gambling risks. Organizers say that problem gambling can affect individuals, families, and communities, with potential links to violence and impacts across various populations.
Rachel Taylor, Domestic Violence Coordinated Response Analyst with the Office of Community Safety, said: “Problem gambling is an easily overlooked issue in our community. We have not traditionally had open access to it in the ways that we do now and at the click of a button. For that reason, we need to elevate the awareness of the dangers that gambling can present.”
Those interested can register for the sessions to learn more about how gambling affects individuals and communities. Additional information or support for those dealing with problem gambling is available by contacting Wendy Hunt at [email protected]
