Domestic violence awareness event to focus on solutions

The Law School's Family Law Clinic will sponsor a special event called “A Different Ending: How to Change the Domestic Violence Story” at 6 p.m. on October 2 in the Greg Sutliff Auditorium of the Lewis Katz Building on Penn State’s University Park campus. The event will feature a screening of “Telling Amy’s Story,” a film which documents the 2001 killing of Amy Homan McGee by her husband followed by a panel discussion with domestic violence experts. The event is free and open to the public.

While the event will discuss the dangers of domestic violence, it will also foster a dialog on how to create a world where women are safe.

"In addition to raising domestic violence awareness, we also want to highlight ways families can overcome this and get help,” said Family Law Clinic Director Jill Engle, who will be moderating the panel. “It should be a very informative event.”

“Telling Amy’s Story,” a Penn State Public Broadcasting production, retells the horrific events leading up to McGee’s murder and features interviews with her parents, co-workers and others involved in the case.

Guest speakers will include:

·         Emeritus Professor Michael Johnson, a well-known domestic violence scholar

·         Justine Andronici, victim rights attorney

·         Stephanie Brooks, Penn State University Police Lieutenant

·         Mary Faulkner, Centre County Women’s Resource Center director of counseling and advocacy services

The event will include a special remembrance honoring victims, survivors and their loved ones. Traci Raymond Miscavish, who lost her life to domestic violence while a client of the Family Law Clinic, will be specially honored.

The event is co-sponsored by Penn State’s Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs and the Center for Women Students. Light refreshments will be served.