The Enumclaw Domestic Violence Task Force invites the public to attend “Now That We Know: Findings and Recommendations from the Washington State Domestic Violence Fatality Review,” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Enumclaw Public Library. A dessert reception begins at 6. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.

This event is presented by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and sponsored by the Enumclaw Domestic Violence Task Force, Plateau Outreach Ministries and the YWCA Domestic Violence Program of South King County.

Organizers say it’s important to understand how domestic violence has affected and continues to affect women, men and children throughout the state and this community. It’s also important, they note, to discuss how to help keep victims and their children safe and hold batterers accountable for their actions.

Between Jan. 1, 1997, and June 30, 2008, 430 people in Washington state were killed by domestic violence abusers. Their deaths were not unpredictable, isolated events without context or warning, presenters note. Most of the victims whose murders are discussed in the report reached out for help. They planned with friends, family and co-workers. They went to therapists, attorneys and health care providers. They called police. They went to court. They worked with domestic violence advocates. They stayed in shelters. They struggled to be mothers and friends and students and employees and volunteers and to contribute to their communities in the face of terrible violence from someone close to them.

Through the past decade, the Domestic Violence Fatality Review has worked to educate communities about the struggles victims of domestic violence face and the harm done by abusive partners.

For more information or to print a copy of the 2008 Fatality Review Report or previous years’ reports, see http://www.wscadv.org/projects.cfm.