WILTON – A community forum to discuss the impact of domestic violence will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria of Academy Hill School.

“What works, what doesn’t and what can be improved,” is the type of information about domestic violence that the Maine Department of Public Safety is looking for, said Christopher Cote, an intern with the department.

Ideally, the department hopes for a good response and large turnout. Anyone who’s interested is welcome. Ideas and constructive criticism are welcome, he said.

“The meeting is being held for people all over the county,” said Aimee DesRoches of Peace in Our Families. “It’s a gathering to discuss what would make our counties safer for all families.”

There will also be an educational section of the forum that will help define domestic violence, Cote said. When most people think of domestic abuse, they think of a man hitting a woman, he added.

Domestic violence covers all aspects of abuse, including intimate partners, child abuse and elderly abuse, DesRoches said.

“Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive behavior in which one person attempts to control another through threats or actual use of physical violence, sexual assault and verbal or psychological abuse,” said Kelly Glidden, director of community education for the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project in Lewiston.

The forum will also help gauge the awareness of the issue through a survey and provide education with presentations from AWAP and Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services representatives, he added.

“In order to address violence, we all need to work collaboratively,” said Julia Terry from SAVES, who will provide part of Wednesday’s presentation.