Domestic violence resources now housed together at Wake courthouse

The Wake County Courthouse has opened a new domestic violence unit to improve the process for those seeking a domestic violence protective order.

The unit, on the fifth floor of the courthouse at 316 Fayetteville St., houses a law enforcement officer, domestic violence counselor, legal staff and others to serve as resources for those in need.

"We've come a long way from where we were," Wake County Clerk of Court Lorrin Freeman said Wednesday.

Previously, anyone seeking an order had to go to different floors of the courthouse – and sometimes different buildings – to complete the process.

Now, all the necessary steps can be completed in one place, which Freeman says is also more secure.

"This takes care of it all without someone actually having to leave this particular unit," she said.

Outside the courthouse Wednesday, the Wake County Domestic Violence Task Force held a rally and silent march in response to a recent fatal shooting believed to be the result of domestic violence.

Danielle Anita Hodges, 27, was found shot in the head on Sept. 30 at her home in northeast Raleigh. Her boyfriend, Brian O'Keith Davis II, 25, was later arrested and charged with murder.

"My daughter loved life, and she loved living, and so it's extremely hard on all of us, and we miss her so much," Hodges' mother, Hattie Hargraves, said.

"It's important for us to make people aware of how prevalent (domestic violence) is in all walks of life in North Carolina," said Barry Bryan with the Wake County Domestic Violence Task Force.

The task force is a community coalition of members of the judiciary, law enforcement, victim advocacy groups and others that meets to identify and improve strategies for preventing and responding to domestic violence.