Panel to discuss domestic violence

The Bloomington Women's Equity Committee will host a panel discussion at 7 p.m. tonight in the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. The discussion, called "Violence Against Women -- Monroe County's Response," will address the problem of violence against women as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is a congressionally sponsored month.\nThe panel will provide a forum for students, faculty and community members to ask questions and make comments. BWEC founding member Lisa Spector, who works at IU as a researcher and writer, said she hopes the meeting will spur community action against violence.\n"We're hoping that there will be a discussion and information shared so that we can talk about what's going well and what else needs to be done to put an end to this public health crisis," Spector said.\nThe BWEC, composed of both community members and IU students, started this fall. This is the group's first event. \n"(BWEC) was formed in response to the deafening silence surrounding violence against women," Spector said.\nSenior Stacey McDaris, a panel member, coordinates Take Back the Night, an annual rally to raise awareness about violence against women.\n"I've worked on this for three years now and this is a very personal issue for me," McDaris said. "I know how serious it is."\nThe discussion is open to all members of the community and student body.\n"We're inviting people to share their personal stories, which can be hard to do in public," Spector said.\nAudience members may share personal stories either in front of the group or via an anonymous drop box. Tables with pamphlet information will be a resource for those wondering if they or someone they know are in a dangerous relationship.\nBWEC members think the topic is of particular importance in Monroe County as well as for IU students.\n"Date rape is particularly of concern for college women," Spector said. "There have been some very tragic instances for college women."\nBWEC member Matthew Turissini will moderate the discussion. \n"I know a number of friends who have had to deal with these issues," Turissini said. "The goal (of the meeting) is to let each panelist present their own ideas and help them bring out those ideas."\nOther panel members will include Monroe County Deputy Prosecutor Lynda Robison, Middle Way House Attorney Patti Cummings and Bloomington Police Department Officer Jim Witmer. Survivors and victims of violence will also participate in the panel. The event is co-sponsored by Amnesty International Bloomington chapter, Monroe County Green Party, IU Campus Greens, Bloomington for Dennis Kucinich -- U.S. President 2004, Boxcar Books, Bloomington Solidarity, Bloomington Peace Coalition, IU Chapter of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, and the IU Women's Student Association.\nSpector and Turissini emphasize the importance of community awareness of violence against women.\n"It's something I'm passionate about," Turrisini said. "It's strange that such a public health issue gets so little attention."\nSpector said only the community as a whole can solve the violence problem.\n"They can turn to public officials and say, 'we demand that you prosecute violence against women. We demand that the city provide funding for prevention. And we demand that everyone receive information about prevention from the (age) when they are in school,'" Spector said.\n -- Contact staff reporter Mike McElroy at mmcelroy@indiana.edu