CHARLOTTE -- Hoping to better know one another, professionals who work in domestic violence intervention met Friday at the Government Center.

From police to victim's advocates, those in attendance hoped to learn how to better link with one another to tackle this issue.

"We have to have a coordinated response to domestic violence in our community,” said Sarah Morton, a victim advocate. “Getting to know each other, getting to know what services every agency offers is huge."

The conference is timely. Four homicides in Charlotte this month have been linked to this type of violence. And in York County, the shooting death of a detective happened as law enforcement responded to a domestic situation.

"I don't think it nullifies any efforts that have been made but I think it certainly speaks to the need for even more partnership and collaboration,” explained Domestic Violence Advocacy Council Chair Elyse Hamilton-Childres.

But as Hamilton-Childres added, addressing domestic violence isn't all about focusing on what the pros need to do. She said community members, like neighbors who witness these situations, are essential pieces of the same puzzle.

"Not everyone is going to report domestic violence to law enforcement. All of us can probably say we've known someone experiencing domestic violence,” Hamilton-Childres said. “So we've got to figure out how to bridge all those pieces.”

She says the DVAC is just one link. They offer monthly meetings open to everyone but more needs to be done. Many continue to point to the ever-growing need for a family justice center to bring everyone together instead of keeping groups so spread out.

"Work to create inclusion, bring everyone to the same table and try to make sure everyone has a voice with what's going on," said Hamilton-Childres.

"We have to make sure once these tragedies are a couple days in the past that we don't lose this energy or drive to help victims,” said