Columbia College is pleased to announce the Third Annual Symposium entitled Domestic Violence: Stop the Madness. The series of events will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., in The Breed Leadership Center, Room 103, and is composed of a panel of guests that will speak to the topic and is open to questions and answers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about domestic violence from law enforcement, counselors, social workers, politicians, scholars and activists. The symposium is free and open to the public and builds upon the success of last year’s symposium, The Feminization of Violence & Gang Membership.
 
What is the Symposium?
Domestic Violence; It's EVERYBODY'S Business! Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever. Period. But it does. Maybe you have lived with abuse, maybe it happened just once; maybe you work or live next to someone who is being abused right now. Domestic violence is also called battery, partner abuse, and spousal abuse. Domestic violence is a type of abuse and involves injuring someone; usually a spouse or partner, but it can also be a parent, child or other family member. Victims often suffer bruises or broken bones at the hands of their abuser. They may suffer emotionally from depression, anxiety or social isolation. It is hard to know exactly how common domestic violence is because people often don't report it. There is no typical victim. It happens among people of all ages. It affects those of all levels of income and education.

Below is a tentative schedule of guest speakers, with more to be confirmed. The Army’s new Domestic Violence Initiative will be included on a date to be announced.
 
February 9
Heidi Scott, Lieutenant, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Victims Services Unit. Scott also serves on the Board of Directors for Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.

Johnathan Talkish, Investigator, Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Talkish is a Victim’s Advocate and is responsible for prosecuting violations of restraining orders.

Nicole Howland, Special Prosecutor, Criminal Domestic Violence (CDV) Unit Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Howland manages the criminal domestic violence court and prosecuting all magistrate-level domestic violence offenses.  
 
February 23
Tammy L. Thomas (BSW, MA), Domestic Violence Coordinator for the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Thomas is responsible for the identification and provision of education resources, consultation on program development

Katie Reid (MSW), Community Education Program Director, Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.

Labrena Aiken Furtick, Deputy Director, CASA/Family Systems, Edisto Children's Center

March 16
Dale Wells, abuse survivor.

Wallace Smith, former abuser/now counselor. Four years ago, the Domestic Abuse Center honored Smith by establishing an award in his name—the Wallace Wendell Smith Award—for his devotion to ending domestic violence. The Wallace Wendell Smith Award is presented yearly to an individual who helps promote and work toward ending domestic violence.

March 30
Senator Mike Fair
Senator Lindsey Graham (unconfirmed)

April 13
Eddie Weinberg, S.C. Legal Assistance
Jim Rex, State Superintendent of Education  
Catherine Ross, Ph.D., Director of Community Clinical and Educational Services, Sistercare, Inc.

April 27 
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter

For more information, contact Dr. Sharon Jones at 803.786.3628 or jones@columbiasc.edu.