BVU to Host Domestic Violence Symposium

STORM LAKE, IA (05/11/2018) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University (BVU) is hosting a domestic violence and family well-being symposium in partnership with the Buena Vista County Family Treatment Court on Friday, May 18. The event is open to the public at no cost and will take place in the Estelle Siebens Science Center on the BVU campus from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

"This is a topic that affects more people than we realize, including those in our community," said Dr. Tracy Thomas, assistant professor of psychology at BVU. "One of the objectives of the symposium is for others to learn how domestic violence can profoundly impact an entire family system. Another goal is to break misconceptions surrounding domestic violence, including why individuals stay in abusive relationships."

Professionals – including licensed mental health counselors, social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse providers – who attend the symposium are qualified to receive 2.75 continuing education units.

The event will feature presentations from the following professionals:

• Carly Shaw is a parent partner coordinator at Children and Families of Iowa, and a psychology graduate of Iowa State University. In her role at Children and Families of Iowa, Shaw helps navigate the Parent Partner program with her personal experience, knowledge, and passion for supporting families. Shaw will shed light on her journey in going from victim to survivor and share how to give hope to the once hopeless.

• Shari Kastein is the CEO of Family Crisis Centers and has worked in the field of victim services for over three decades. Kastein holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in business administration. Kastein will share her story as well as provide resources regarding the long-term implications of experiencing or witnessing domestic violence.

• Dr. Wind Goodfriend is a professor of psychology at BVU, the director of the BVU trauma advocacy program, and the assistant dean of graduate programs at BVU. Goodfriend graduated from BVU in 1998 before earning her master's degree and doctorate in social psychology from Purdue University. Goodfriend has won the "Faculty of the Year" award at BVU three times and was a recipient of the prestigious George Wythe Award in 2011. She is also the principal investigator for the Institute for the Prevention of Relationship Violence and has authored three psychology textbooks with Sage Publications. Goodfriend will discuss her own research regarding how people move through the stages of relationship violence.

A complete schedule of the symposium is as follows:

• 12:30 p.m. – Check in

• 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. – Carly Shaw, "A Survivor's Story"

• 1:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. – Break

• 1:45 p.m.-3 p.m. – Shari Kastein, "The Unintentional Victims"

• 3 p.m.-3:30 p.m. – Break

• 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. – Dr. Wind Goodfriend, "From Victim to Survivor: Three Stages of Experiencing Relationship Violence"

For more information about the event or to RSVP, contact Thomas at 712.749.2210 or Thomas2@bvu.edu.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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