A panel of experts met Oct. 28 on Ivy Tech’s campus to discuss domestic violence and its prevalence in today’s society. The program, titled “A Community Breaking the Silence,” was an all-day event from 3 to 8 p.m. aimed at bringing attention to domestic violence and encouraging survivors to speak up about their experiences. The event featured a community resource fair until 6 p.m. when the panel began its discussion. Featured speakers included Rebecca Kubacki, State Rep. (R-Syracuse); April Slone, Beaman Home Outreach Advocate; Paul Schmitt, Winona Lake town marshal; Lynne Eberle, director of emergency care at Kosciusko Community Hospital; Judge Joe Sutton, Kosciusko County Superior Court; Dan Hampton, Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney; and an Ivy Tech student who is survivor of domestic abuse. After the panel shared their stories, the speakers welcomed questions from the public. Hampton offered a definition of domestic violence, saying it includes crimes of battery, intimidation or harassment, criminal trespassing, kidnapping, strangulation, criminal confinement and even stalking. Further, Hampton said his office deals with at least one domestic violence case a day. Kubacki, who shared that her own mother was a victim of domestic abuse, said she has become passionate about the issue because she doesn’t want other women to put up with what her mother had to. “Now we can do something about it,” she said. “Now I am in a position where I can help.” For help escaping domestic violence, contact the Beaman Home at 574-267-7701 or call your local law enforcement agency.
