(COLUMBUS) — The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence (CCAFV) is hosting itsinaugural national conference in Columbus. The conference theme is “Innovation through Collaboration: Building a Community Response to Family Violence.” The three-day event,being held at the Columbus Hilton at Easton Town Center, has five programming tracks thattarget five key sectors, or ‘touchpoints,’ in our communities where victims may reach out forhelp— Business, Faith, Health Care, Legal and Victim Services.
“This conference offers participants a unique opportunity for professional development becauseit brings together professionals from across the spectrum of our communities and provides education on strategies for collaborative prevention and intervention,” says Coalition President Karen S. Days.
A highlight of the event will be the keynote address by award-winning actor, director andproducer Blair Underwood, titled “Standing Together Against Family Violence.” Underwood is a powerful spokesperson on important social issues, including family violence. His interest in family violence and commitment to supporting victims stems from his love for the women inhis life: his mother, sisters, wife and daughter. Having played two roles as an abuser – in the film Madea’s Family Reunion and on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – has also given him an awareness of the issue and its impact on families and communities.
“We are honored to host this conference to help dedicated individuals continue their work breaking the cycle of violence in victims’ lives,” said Coalition Founder and Board Chair Abigail S. Wexner. She will introduce Underwood at the event.
Prominent local psychologist Dr. David Hayes is the conference’s planning committee chair. He is a member of the Coalition’s Business Community Task Force, and leads the award-winning Recognize and Refer domestic violence awareness program at JPMorgan Chase.
Conference attendees can select from over 55 breakout sessions and master classes in addition to plenary presentations. Sessions will highlight promising practices, emerging issues and collaborative initiatives addressing family violence in communities.
Topics include:
• A Technology Giveaway: Using Web-based Training To Address Domestic Violence &
The Workplace
• Beyond The Obvious - Dual Arrest
• Lighting The Way: Using Religious Teachings As Resources, Not Roadblocks, For
Victims
• Trauma Informed Health Care For Victims Of Family Violence: A Personal Perspective
• Why Does He Do That?: The Profile and Tactics Of Men Who Abuse Women
• Forensic Medical Evidence Of Elder Abuse, Neglect & Domestic Violence In Later Life
• Teens & Technology: Victims Of Violence In a Virtual World
The conference drawing is a wide-range of family violence experts, including:
• Lundy Bancroft, nationally-recognized authority on domestic violence and Abuser
Intervention Specialist
• Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, RN, FAAN, Anna D. Wolf Chair and Professor of Nursing,
Johns Hopkins University
• Jeffery Edleson, PhD, Professor and Director of the Minnesota Center Against Violence
& Abuse, University of Minnesota
• The Reverend Dr. Marie Fortune, Founder and Senior Analyst, FaithTrust Institute
• Yvette McGee Brown, JD, President, Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Nationwide
Children’s Hospital
• Tony Porter, MPH, Co-Founder, A Call To Men, The National Association of Men and
Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women
• Robin Runge, JD, Director, American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence
• Gael Strack, JD, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, National Family Justice Center
Alliance
• Kimberly Wells, MA, Executive Director, Corporate Alliance To End Partner Violence
• Lt. (Retired) Mark Wynn, Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
The conference fee is $375 until March 2, and $400 after March 2. A limited number of scholarships are available. Scholarship applications must be submitted by March 2. Details are online at www.ccafv.org/conference/registration, click on the scholarship link.
Full conference details and online registration is at www.ccafv.org/conference or by calling 614-273-1400.
Founded in 1998 by Abigail S. Wexner, the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is comprised of leaders from corporate, medical, law enforcement and social service agencies, as well as faith communities in central Ohio committed to reforming systems to stop the cycle of violence in our community. Learn more at www.ccafv.org.