High school students, parents, and area residents are invited to join students, faculty, and staff at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) for “Voices Against Violence,” a panel discussion about acts of domestic and other violence against women.

The discussion will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 in the Columbus Learning Center Lecture Hall & Auditorium.

The panel will include a local woman who is a survivor of violence. Others participating in the discussion are:

• Kelly Benjamin | Chair, Domestic Violence Action Team (DVAT), Columbus Regional Health
• Michelle Cline | Sexual assault nurse examiner, Columbus Regional Hospital                                            
• Lt. Doug Johnson | IUPUC police officer and public safety director
• Darla McKeeman | Director, Client Services & Training, Turing Point
• Cheryl Morse | Coordinator, Domestic Violence Action Team (DVAT), Columbus Regional Health
• Alyson Rech | Officer, Columbus Police Department

The event is being organized by IUPUC’s Feminism Club, the newest student organization on campus.

“We believe awareness promotes activism and activism encourages change. Our members want to educate the campus and surrounding community about gender-based violence in our own backyard. By talking about injustice and preventing violence against women, we can help attendees take steps to change the local culture and reach out to those who might be survivors with help and support,” explains IUPUC student Bailey Moss, who lives in Columbus and is majoring in English.

There will be time for a brief question-and-answer session after the discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

The Columbus Learning Center is located at 4555 Central Avenue near Columbus Municipal Airport. For more information, please contact Dr. Julie Goodspeed-Chadwick at juligood@iupuc.edu.