October is domestic violence awareness month, when we can take a stand and work together to end domestic violence. With the right tools and the right commitment, we can save lives. I know, because in Buncombe County we’ve done it.

In 2013, Buncombe had a record number of deaths, eight, as a result of domestic violence. We had the third most deaths in the state and more than 1,700 people, mostly women, sought protection from violence in their homes. As a county, we had had enough. It was time to take action.

We identified the agencies that dealt with both offenders and victims and brought together law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, the courts and protective service workers to devise a comprehensive plan to address the problem. We found programs that have had success in other states and worked to adapt them to Buncombe County. Together, we adopted the use of a tool that can predict incidents and allows intervention before violence becomes deadly.

Since we implemented our plan in 2014, Buncombe County has had no deaths due to domestic violence. We got there by bringing together concerned leaders from various governmental and nonprofit agencies who worked together to find answers. We set aside agendas to focus on a problem. Together, we found solutions. We may not be able to prevent domestic violence in every instance, but we certainly can, and have, in some.

At a time when too many of our leaders are telling us what government can’t do, I’m here to tell you what it can do. In the case of domestic violence in Buncombe, we not only made a difference, we actually saved lives. We need more leaders in Raleigh who are willing hang their ideology at the door and get down to the business of finding solutions and helping people. That’s what I want to do as your next lieutenant governor. I hope I can count on your support.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Holly Jones