After growing concerns about domestic violence, Bassfield Mayor Angie Ladner and the Town of Bassfield will host Use Your Voice community listening sessions for the community with the theme “Weeding out domestic violence and sexual assault in Bassfield and Jefferson Davis County.” The first two events will be held March 26 and April 9 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.at St. Peter Catholic Hall on Highway 42 in Bassfield. “Community members can share their concerns about interpersonal violence in our families and among our neighbors and learn more about the impact of violence in our homes and community,” said Bassfield Mayor Angie Ladner. Resources will be available the Mississippi Coalition against Domestic Violence (MCADV, Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MSCASA, Clean State Behavioral Health Solutions, Shafter Center for Crisis Intervention, Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Kids Hub and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Mississippi.

Ladner has been working on this project for several months. “It really hit home to me that so many things were happening right here that needed to be addressed.” Ladner says after the kidnapping of a two-year-old in December from Barnes Avenue in Bassfield she felt it was time to bring awareness to the subject and prevent this from happening again. The child was located the following afternoon in a parking lot of an apartment complex in Sumrall. Two males were arrested and charged in the kidnapping and rape of the toddler

“It’s right here in our backyard and I had to do something.”

Ladner has learned that Jefferson Davis County is one of the top counties in the State of Mississippi for domestic violence. Her goal is to have a very strategic plan so when something happens, everyone is prepared and trained.

“Never should someone feel like there is no one there to help them. They deserve to have those resources at their hands, and this is a positive message that shows we care.”

Ladner says this is something that will continue and plans to hold meetings once a month in the community and would love to hear from those that feel like they have something to contribute. “Until we start talking about it and being aware nothing is going to change. This is the most excited and proud I’ve been about a project since I’ve been mayor.”