By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University’s Division of Social Science is hosting a series of three forums on family violence – March 24, April 7 and April 27.
All are from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Student Union Building Banquet Hall (former dining hall), and all are open to the public free of charge.
The first session, on March 24, will focus on intimate partner violence, (also known as domestic violence), including dating violence.
It will feature a number of panelists, who will be discussing various topics connected to partner violence. Dr. Wendy Benningfield, associate professor of history at CU, will be moderating this forum.
Panelists confirmed to date include: Sgt. Pat Thompson of the Campbellsville Police Department who will talk about area statistics and the legal aspects; Bob Brown, director of Bethany House, who will discuss the role of the shelter and available resources; and Dr. Linda Trollinger, assistant professor of sociology at CU who will give an introduction to the topic, national statistics and forms of abuse.
Trollinger said there are several facts that raise our concerns: (1) Many incidents of intimate partner violence are never reported and some victims are not sure of or perceive it as abuse; (2) The numbers of high school and college age students who are reporting force in their relationships is rising; and (3) The prevalence of partner violence tends to increase during periods of economic strain and difficulties.
The April 7 forum will focus on child abuse. This forum will also be in a panel forum and will include panelists in the areas of prevention, child protective services and advocacy, according to Trollinger.
Dr. Helen Mudd, assistant professor of social work at CU, who has several years experience in Child Protective Services, and Dr. Michelle Tucker, who is also an assistant professor of social work at CU, who serves on a review board for foster parents and who has experience in Child Protective Services, are among those on the panel.
There will also be a representative from Prevent Child Abuse in Kentucky (PACK) of Lexington, Trollinger said.
Elder abuse will be the focus of the third forum. Trolling said there are growing numbers of elder victims, and with the fastest growing age group being over age 65, there is great concern that victim numbers may escalate.
“It is important that people are aware of the different types of elder abuse and what to do if someone suspects the presence of abuse,” she said.
This will also be a panel format, which include topics of general information, elder counseling, Adult Protective Services, advocacy, etc.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.