The Community Coalition on Family Violence held the 16th Annual Anita Gregg Memorial Awards Luncheon today at the Foundry. Statistics show that one in four women will be abused in their lifetime and one in four teens will experience abuse in a dating relationship. In 2010 there were 19,043 calls to 911 related to domestic violence which is an average of 52 per day. Anita Gregg and her son, Dwayne Kesterson lost their lives as a result of domestic violence in 1996.

At the event community leaders gathered together to honor Anita and Dwayne's memory, raise awareness, and educate the public and to remember that domestic violence affects our entire community in the hope of one day ending violence. Gov. Bill Haslam received the Legislative Leadership Award for putting domestic violence front and center during his State of the State address and working to pass mandatory sentences for repeat offenders.

The Knoxville Police Department's David Kitts received the Community Partnership Award for his work on the clergy task force and as the domestic violence training coordinator.

The Community Coalition on Family Violence focuses on continuing education for victim advocates as well as awareness and advocacy on legislative issues at the local, state, and federal levels.