Free Family Violence panel series at MTSU offers ‘practical information’ to address domestic abuse

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — As a way to keep the community informed about the prevalence of domestic abuse and how to solve it, Middle Tennessee State University Human Sciences Department professor Rebecca Oldham has organized the third annual Family Violence Professional Panel Series for the last three Mondays in March.

Oldham, an assistant professor in the Human Development and Family Science Program, partnered with multiple colleges and departments to offer three panel-style events focused on different types of family violence and featuring local field experts, Q&A sessions, networking opportunities and refreshments. Students, staff and the community at large are invited to attend the free sessions.

“The panels have a broad appeal and are not just for students,” said Oldham, who launched the panels in 2020 for students in her Violence in the Family course within the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences. “We’ll have practical information for the public. I’ll have professionals from different backgrounds like policy work, advocacy, lawyers, financial advisors and therapists, among others.”

Speakers from the Middle Tennessee State University 2024 Family Violence Professional Panel Series who talked about intimate partner violence are, from left, Rebecca Oldham, Cassandra Scott, Tommy Roberts, Erika Downing, Barbara Scales, Christy Sigler and S’Kaila Colbert. This year’s panel series will take place on Mondays at 2:20 p.m. on March 17, 24 and 31 in Room 106 of the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd. The public is invited to attend the free panel sessions. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

• The first panel discussion on March 17 will focus on intimate partner violence, stalking and sexual assault. 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.

• Child abuse is the focus of the second panel set for March 24. Child abuse and neglect are also commonplace, with at least 1 in 7 children falling victim in the past year in the U.S. And the numbers are likely underestimated, as many cases go unreported.

• Elder abuse will be the topic for the third panel on March 31. 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.

Each panel will be held in Room 106 of the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd., at 2:20 p.m. followed by a networking reception at 3:45 p.m. with refreshments served.

Returning for another year is MTSU Police Detective Tommy Roberts, who will have a spot on each of the panels.

Middle Tennessee State University Police Detective Tommy Roberts speaks about child abuse at the 2024 Family Violence Professional Panel Series. This year’s panel series will take place on Mondays at 2:20 p.m. on March 17, 24 and 31 in Room 106 of the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd. The public is invited to attend the free panel sessions. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

“I am honored to once again participate in the panels put on by Dr. Oldham,” said Roberts, who investigates incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking on campus.

Statistics show 1 in 5 college students has been abused and/or verbally abused by an intimate partner. And approximately 13% of all college students experience rape and sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. The most common age range for domestic violence/intimate partner abuse is 18-24 years.

“These stats are eye-opening. These panels allow essential questions to be asked safely, and their importance cannot be overstated,” Roberts said.

In addition to Roberts, more than a dozen panelists will participate, including Joyce Reed with Adult Protective Services, Paula Daigle with AgeWell Middle Tennessee, Elizabeth Benton with the Child Advocacy Center, Dr. Lauren Burge, child abuse pediatrician with UT Health Sciences Center, Erika Downing with Murfreesboro Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, and Hunter C. Knight, assistant district attorney for the state of Tennessee.

For those who wish to register to attend in person or via Zoom are asked to register at https://bit.ly/FVPanel2025. Registration is encouraged — but not required — to attend.

A full house listens to experts speak about the dangers and prevalence of intimate partner violence at the 2024 Family Violence Professional Panel Series Middle Tennessee State University. This year’s panel series will take place on Mondays at 2:20 p.m. on March 17, 24 and 31 in Room 106 of the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd. The public is invited to attend the free panel sessions. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Someone will monitor Zoom so virtual attendees can ask questions. Oldham plans to record the panels via Zoom with closed captioning and make them available for all students.

The College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, a sponsor of the event, will provide American Sign Language interpretation at the event.

The registration also provides space for attendees to submit questions for panelists ahead of time. Accessibility accommodations and dietary preferences can be requested through online registration.

Email Rebecca.Oldham@mtsu.edu for questions or concerns.

Sponsors for the event include Behavioral and Health Sciences, Human Sciences Department, Department of Global Studies and Human Geography, Department of Elementary and Special Education, Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Department of Political and Global Affairs, Department of Criminal Justice Administration, Physician Assistant Studies Program, Department of Social Work, MT Engage, MTSU Public Health, and MTSU Campus Nonviolence Committee and Student Government Association.

Off-campus visitors can obtain a temporary permit from the Parking and Transportation Services office at 205 City View Drive or print a visitor pass at https://mtsu.t2hosted.com. Visitor permits are $2 per day. A campus parking map is available at https://bit.ly/MTSUParking and more information about parking is available at https://mtsu.edu/parking/.

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