UNMC/NHS faculty, staff and students are invited to hear Pamela McCarthy, education specialist for the YWCA Women Against Violence Program, speak about multiple aspects of domestic violence at a program on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
McCarthy’s presentation will take place from noon to 1p.m. at the Storz Pavilion, Ground Level, Rooms 3 and 4.
“The motivation for my job with the YWCA comes from a deep-seated passion for education and prevention in sexual assault and domestic violence,” McCarthy said. “Through education, I feel that I can make a difference, especially in the lives of children and adolescents.”
McCarthy will discuss domestic violence awareness, including the dynamics of domestic violence; prevalence and patterns; warning signs of abusive behavior; obstacles victims encounter; common characteristics of perpetrators; how to help a friend or family member; and community resources available to victims. In addition, the Nebraska Nurses Association has approved the presentation for one contact hour of continuing education.
McCarthy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She currently is completing her doctorate in criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her doctoral dissertation explores how the movement to reform rape law has affected the reporting rates of sexual assault of African American and Caucasian women.
“I have taught courses specializing in sexual assault and domestic violence for six years at the college level,” McCarthy said. “I first and foremost see myself as an educator.”
On Oct. 8, McCarthy will be introduced by Robert Muelleman, M.D., section chief of emergency medicine at UNMC. Dr. Muelleman has extensive background in national efforts for domestic violence awareness and the role that health professionals can play as a first line of defense. The YWCA Domestic Violence Program, in conjunction with NHS/UNMC, currently sponsors the placement of domestic violence counselors in the hospital emergency department during the weekends as part of on-going prevention efforts.
“I encourage not only health professionals and students on campus to attend McCarthy’s presentation, but all employees, as well,” Dr. Muelleman said. “Some women in violent situations will seek help from the police, counselors and protective shelters. But for others, the health professional will be the first point of contact.
“In many cases, the family physician or nurse is in position to find out about the woman’s situation during a clinic or ER visit. These women may have injuries, but more often stress-related symptoms, that leads them to seek treatment. If more health professionals understood the dynamics of domestic violence and the resources available for assistance, I think more women could be encouraged to speak out about their situation and seek help before things get a lot worse.”
Domestic violence is epidemic in the United States today. In terms of prevalence:
- By the most conservative estimate, one million women suffer nonfatal violence from an intimate partner each year. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1995)
- Other estimates have shown that as many as four million American women experience a serious assault by a partner during an average 12-month period. (American Psychological Association, 1996)
- Studies suggest that one-fifth to one-third of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime. (Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, 1991)
“We can no longer assume that children free of physical violence are not affected psychologically, developmentally, or emotionally by domestic violence,” McCarthy said. “Domestic violence affects a child for a lifetime — the most common factor among pregnant teens was that they grew up in violent homes; at least 60 percent of all runaways at youth shelters come from violent and abusive homes; every year 3.3 million children witness their fathers beat their mothers; and 50 to 70 percent of men who batter their partners also abuse their children.”
Anyone who wished to register for continuing education points should contact the NHS Learning Network at 559-4260. For all other questions about McCarthy’s appearance, contact Joan Philbert at 559-2097.