MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is set to host a series of insightful panel discussions focused on the critical issues of family violence and prevention. Rebecca Oldham, an Assistant Professor in the Human Development and Family Science program at the university, organizes and leads the event each year. She told WGNS there will be a total of three panels featured...

Oldham highlighted that lots of resources will be provided..

According to the assistant professor, everyone should work to learn how to recognize the different forms of abuse and what to do if you see it. She said this also stands true for business owners...

A diverse group of professionals from across the state, including police detectives, lawyers, pediatricians, and community advocates, will be on the featured panels at MTSU. The goal is to shed light on the complexities of family violence and empower individuals to take action in their families and communities.

Upcoming Events:

• March 26: Child Abuse — This panel will feature a police detective, a lawyer, a pediatrician with specialized training in child abuse, and representatives from the Child Advocacy Center. The discussion will cover identifying signs of abuse and the legal and medical processes involved in seeking justice for victims.

• April 9: Intimate Partner Violence — Focusing on domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, this panel will include experts in policy and prevention, as well as survivors sharing their stories of resilience.

• April 16: Elder Abuse — The final panel will address a category of crime that often goes unreported. Oldham explained... Elder abuse includes physical and economic exploitation. Experts from adult protective services, legal professionals, and financial advisors will provide guidance on protecting vulnerable seniors during this panel. Abuse against senior citizens impacts about 1 out of 10 people in the U.S. age 60 and older who live at home.

The panels will be held from 1:15 PM to 2:40 PM in the atrium of the Academic Classroom Building on the MTSU campus, followed by a networking reception at 2:45 PM. The events are free and open to the public, with options to attend in person or virtually via Zoom. ASL interpretation will be provided for all sessions to ensure accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

If you are able to walk away from this event armed with enough information to help just one child or one adult in an abusive environment, you can make a difference...

Register to Attend: For more information or to register for the Zoom link, visit mtsu.edu/hdfs, or search for "Family Violence Panels" on the MTSU website.

Direct link to register: https://www.mtsu.edu/program/human-development-and-family-science-b-s/ -  click on the flyer or scan the appropriate QR code on the flyer.