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Panel to discuss careers that can help those affected by domestic violence

Connecticut College has long been at the forefront of marrying academics with social responsibility, and an event on campus this Friday will offer advice for those considering combining a career with social responsibility. "Beyond Awareness: Careers Working to Create Change" is a panel discussion that will offer insights into how a career choice can allow an individual to work to end domestic violence and provide resources to those impacted by it. Panelists include law enforcement officers, lawyers, advocates and case managers.

Darcie Folsom, the College's coordinator for sexual violence education and advocacy, said the idea for the panel came from one of the panelists.

"Sarah Steere, a prosecutor for the State's Attorney's office and a member of our Coordinated Community Response Team, originally mentioned an idea like this," said Folsom, "and Alia Roth '14, a Think S.A.F.E. Project intern, really developed it."

In addition to Steere, other panelists include:

- Kathie Berkel, Victim's Advocate, Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut

- Det. Frank Jarvis, New London Police Department

- Keith Foren, Assistant Public Defender

- Juvenile Matters, and Visiting Instructor in the Human Development Department

- Jennifer Fredricks, Associate Professor of Human Development and Director of the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy

- Thea Korytkowski, Social Worker, Connecticut Department of Children and Families

- Kate Griffith Potter, Supervisor of Residential and Family Services, Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut

The discussion is one of the last in a series of events to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Folsom explained that the events help dispel some misunderstandings about domestic violence, including perhaps the biggest myth.

"It can happen to anyone, including college students," said Folsom. "If we let our stereotypes get in the way, we limit our ability to help those in need. A lot of our programs work to engage men in the cause as well. Domestic violence is not a women's issue, it's a human rights issue. There is a small, small portion of the population who commit these crimes and there are so many more that can step in and do something to change the culture to make domestic/dating violence unacceptable in our communities."

"Beyond Awareness" will take place on Friday, Oct. 28, at 11:50 a.m. in Room 210 of Blaustein Humanities Center. It is open to the public.



October 26, 2011