People in the community should not tolerate domestic violence, said Gail Heller of Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence, a Columbus-based non-profit organization which mainly provides a shelter for the victims of domestic violence.’People need to change their attitudes and behaviors toward domestic violence,’ she said. ‘If you know something is going on, do something. Don’t sit back.’Heller was one of four experts on the issue of domestic violence who stressed the importance of community recognition of domestic violence. The problem is not one of individuals or couples, but is a social one instead.They expressed their views Friday at a seminar in Baker Systems entitled, ‘Community Response to Violence Against Women.”Domestic violence is a social and systematic problem,’ said Nancy Neylon of Ohio Domestic Violence Network, a non-profit organization which consists of a coalition of domestic violence programs, supportive agencies and concerned individuals in Ohio.Domestic violence involves the legal, criminal, welfare and medical systems as well as people in a community, she said. Cooperation of all these systems and the public is essential to stop domestic violence, Neylon said.Franklin County has a unique situation because all the agencies primarily dealing with domestic violence collaborate, which cannot be seen in other jurisdictions, said Lesley Ashworth of the city attorney’s office.She said 8,500, or 24 percent, of the cases filed in the Franklin County Municipal Court are related to domestic violence.’We are the 10th busiest municipal court in the country,’ Ashworth said.Ramona Patts, lieutenant in the Columbus Division of Police, said parties involved in domestic violence don’t necessarily have to be in a marriage or family relationship.According to a new law in effect since December, domestic violence can occur between an unmarried couple who has lived together within five years proir to the alleged domestic violence, Patts said.Reiko Ozaki, a graduate student majoring in social work, said she agreed with the point that the entire community should play a role as watchdog for domestic violence.’Outreach services for invisible victims such as those in immigrant communities should be done more as well,’ said Ozaki, who used to coordinate a domestic violence prevention program at a community agency.Dottie Wong Wolff, a doctoral candidate in instructional design and technology, said we can approach some possible resolution through education and information on domestic violence.’This seminar helped me to become a better informed person,’ she said. ‘Now, I know where to call or go if I personally need help or if I know someone who needs help.’This lecture was a part of a seminar series, ‘Interdisciplinary Exploration into the Realities of Women in Contemporary Society.’ It is organized by the Department of Human Development and Family Science. The upcoming topic of the series is ‘Women, Health and Diversity.’