FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 30, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE TO HOST PANEL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SHOW EXCERPT FROM ‘BREAKING THE SILENCE: CHILDREN’S STORIES’DOCUMENTARY

Experiencing domestic violence in the home can have a devastating impact on children that may lead to lifelong detrimental consequences. A panel of experts will discuss what is being done and what needs to be done to best advocate for Iowa’s children affected by domestic violence during a public forum hosted by Drake University Law School on Monday, Dec. 5. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Drake Legal Clinic in the Neal and Bea Smith Law Center at 2400 University Ave.

Constance Cohen, juvenile court judge for the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa and a Drake graduate, will moderate the discussion, which will include a question-and-answer session. Panelists will be State Rep. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, Assistant Attorney General Patricia Houlihan and Mischeale Luze, child welfare policy coordinator for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

In addition to the panel discussion, there will be a screening of a portion of a new PBS documentary titled “Breaking the Silence: Children’s Stories,” courtesy of Iowa Public Television.

The event is sponsored by the Joan and Lyle Middleton Children’s Rights Center at the Drake Legal Clinic. For more information, contact the Drake Legal Clinic at (515) 271-3851.

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