MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s annual Family Violence Panels will return this semester, offering practical guidance and community resources to help the community respond effectively to abuse.

Hosted by the Human Development and Family Science program in MTSU’s College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, the free panels that are open to the public will be held Mondays at 1:15 p.m. on March 26, April 9 and April 16 in Room 102 of the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd. There will also be a virtual option, and a sign language interpreter will be provided. Light refreshments will also be provided.

“These panels are for everybody,” said Rebecca Oldham, assistant professor who launched the panels in 2020 for students in her Violence in the Family course, “and anybody in the community is welcome to attend.”

The series addresses child abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and elder abuse, bringing together local experts and service providers. Oldham said many people are unprepared when confronted with abuse — and good intentions can sometimes backfire.

“I think that a lot of people don’t know what to do when they come in contact with someone — be it a child, adult or older adult  — who has potentially been abused,” Oldham said. “They’re completely unprepared and sometimes can cause more harm than good if they don’t know how to respond.”

Panel details

• The first panel discussion on March 26 will focus on child abuse. According to statistics from the National Children’s Alliance, approximately 1 in 7 children are victims of child abuse or neglect. And the numbers are likely underestimated, as many cases go unreported.

• Intimate partner violence, stalking and sexual assault is the focus of the second panel on April 9. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, approximately 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner at least once during their lifetime.

• Elder abuse will be the topic for the third panel on April 16. Elder abuse — what Oldham said is the “silent epidemic” — affects about 1 out of 10 people in the U.S. age 60 and older who live at home.

Following each panel session, a networking reception will be held at 2:45 p.m., with light refreshments served. Each panel is recorded and later posted with reviewed captions to increase accessibility. 

Oldham said she especially hopes educators will attend the child abuse panel, noting that teachers are often a first line of defense.

In 2025, nearly 40 Tennesseans lost their lives to domestic violence, according to the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, with more than 60,000 reported cases.

Ericka Downing, director of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in Rutherford County, said understanding the dynamics of abuse is critical to helping victims.

“Domestic violence — also called intimate partner violence — is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner,” said Downing, one of the panelists. “It does not discriminate. Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender can be a victim — or perpetrator.”

When someone discloses abuse, Downing said the response matters.

“We first start by believing, being nonjudgmental and actively listening,” Downing said.

Downing cautioned against victim-blaming language.

“They are constantly looking for a safe place to disclose, and your words have power to lift up or destroy,” Downing said.

Oldham said knowing about resources before a crisis occurs can make all the difference.

“One of the best ways we can support and empower victims is to know how to respond effectively,” Oldham said, “so they can get the care they need and the justice they deserve.”

In addition to Downing, more than a dozen panelists will participate, including Dr. Lauren Burge, child abuse pediatrician with UT Health Sciences Center; MTSU Police Detective Tommy Roberts;and Kassie Davis, director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Rutherford County.

For more information, email rebecca.oldham@mtsu.edu. While an RSVP isn’t required, it will help organizers estimate headcount for food ordering. To register for in-person and virtual options and find bios of panelists, visit https://bit.ly/4lfapq0.

Off-campus visitors may purchase a $4/day parking pass through the Parking and Transportation Services’ visitor parking permit form.

Event sponsors include Tennessee Success and Innovation Funding, Engage, Department of Human Sciences, Honors College, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, CLA Interdisciplinary Studies and Initiatives, Department of Elementary and Special Education, Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Student Government Association and the Campus Nonviolence Committee (Tina Steward Grant), and the Department of Political and Global Affairs.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)