A panel that includes a health care provider, student, administrator and survivors and advocates will talk about “Domestic Violence: Raising Awareness for America’s Hidden War” at the Schwartz Grand Rounds, Oct. 31, at noon in the Sorrell Center, Room 2010.
The panel is presented by EMPOWER, one of five student-run/community-engaged Service Learning Academy projects in the College of Public Health, in observance of October as Domestic Violence Month.
Health education, medical screening and clinical services for women affected by domestic violence are developed and provided by EMPOWER. Students work with the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) to help women overcome the trauma of domestic violence. This project was selected from more than 4,000 to be one of 15 Champions for Change projects recognized at the White House in 2012.
Panelists will provide personal stories about domestic abuse, offer ways to enhance communication among caregivers and patients and describe ways to strengthen teamwork among caregivers. Lunch will be provided to the first 80 attendees.
Panel members are:
- Sue Michalski, domestic violence survivor.
- Mona McGee, program administrator of the WCA.
- Jennifer Reynolds, domestic abuse victim advocate for the Offutt AFB Family Advocacy Program/domestic violence survivor.
- Julie Medina, Douglas County attorney/sexual assault and stalking survivor.
- Tasha Craig, residential specialist for Youth Emergency Services/domestic violence survivor.
- Celeste Reker, EMPOWER student leader
Schwartz Center Rounds® sessions are open to all employees, affiliated clinicians, students, trainees and other authorized personnel.
Reker also suggests watching a TED-X video that features Leslie Morgan Steiner, a writer and outspoken advocate for survivors of domestic violence, including herself.
In her 16-minute presentation, “Why domestic violence victims don’t leave,” Steiner tells the dark story of her “crazy love” relationship, corrects misconceptions many people hold about victims of domestic violence and explains what can be done to break the silence.