Domestic abuse is estimated to affect 10 million peoplein the United Statesannually,meaningvirtually everyhealthcare professional will treat or evaluate an abuse victim.Thisstatistichighlightsthe importance ofshining light onabuseasDomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth approachesin October.

OnThursday,Sept.19,Cedarville Universitywill host a paneldiscussion on“Domestic Abuse: OurResponsibilitiesasChristians in the Workplace,”from 7–8:30p.m.in the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies room 104.The freeeventisopen to the public.

Members of the panel have professional or personal experience indealing withdomestic abuse.The panelists includeDr. Marcia Williams, associate deanand director of nursing graduate programsand assistant professor of nursing;Dr. Ronni Kurtz, assistant professor of theology;Melissa Brown, associate professor of social work;Daniel Brooks, aschool-basedmental health counselorat Upper Valley Career Centerin Piqua, Ohio, and an unnamedsurvivor of domestic violence.

The discussion will be moderated byCharlotte,a senior majoring innursingat Cedarville Universityand member of the nursing honors society,whose last name is being withheldto protect her sister,adomestic abusesurvivor.Charlotte hopes to impress upon attendeesthe importance ofawarenessin recognizingthesigns of abuseandhow to beintentionalin protectingthose around you.

“Nobody tells you what to do, so often you feel helpless.I want to educate people on what they can and should dowhen they are in or are aware of abusivesituations,” said Charlotte.She hopes the panel will equip those who attend with the confidence to ask questions and find ways to support friends, loved ones, patients or clients who might be experiencing domestic abuse.

“It’simportant to hearmultipleperspectivesconcerning domestic abuseto properly empathizewith victims. We learn from one another so we can best help someone experiencing domestic violence,” saidBrown, who currentlyservesas a social workerhelpingfamilies and children who have experienced orwitnesseddomestic violence.

“If we can give people the tools to take personal responsibilityin helpingeven one person get out of an abusivesituation,then the panel hasaccomplishedits purpose,” said Charlotte. “Victimsareoftenostracizedbecause people arescaredand theydon’tknow what to say.As a Christian who is called to love all peoplewithout judgement,Iwantto removethe fear thatkeeps victims fromreceivinghelp. I want people to have the personal conviction to see something and say something. I want them to understand thereare practical things they can do.”

Located in southwest Ohio,Cedarville Universityis a Baptist university withundergraduateprograms in arts, sciences, and professional programs, andgraduateprograms. With an enrollment of6,384students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, such as theirhistory degree, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visitcedarville.edu.