SWAN QUARTER — What does domestic violence look like, and how can it be reduced? How should abusers be held accountable?

These are some of the questions Hyde County Hotline set out to answer for local officers, magistrates, hotline employees and social services representatives.

Hyde County Hotline is a group that strives to eliminate domestic and sexual abuse in Hyde County. It also operates a 24-hour crisis line.

On May 9-11, the hotline hosted Sgt. John Guard, of the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, for a discussion on domestic violence. A total of 24 people attended the workshop.

As part of the sessions, Guard educated participants on the terms related to domestic violence, including physical, sexual and verbal abuse, threats, economic and emotional control and abuse, coercion and isolation, according to Rhonda Ballance, community advocate at the hotline.

“For over two decades, (John) has specialized in investigating domestic violence cases. John has been instrumental in developing policies and procedures related to domestic violence response in Pitt County, as well as for North Carolina,” Ballance wrote.

Guard is also the chair of the Pitt Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and a past member of the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission.

Ballance wrote that the group also discussed the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and advocates and how that plays a part in getting victims the help they need. Hyde County Sheriff Guire Cahoon made sure all officers with the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office would be able to attend the workshop, according to Ballance.

“The attendees were very involved in the training and information was well received,” Ballance wrote. “We, at Hotline, thank Sgt. John Guard for taking the time to come to Hyde County and provide his valuable knowledge and experience to help law enforcement, client advocates, and all those that are involved in domestic violence to provide victims with knowledge, protection and support in striving to put an end to the second-most committed crime in the U.S., surpassed only by theft.”

For more information about Hyde County Hotline and the services it offers, call 252-925-2502.