Domestic Violence Discussion Panel Luncheon

October 6, 2021

 Merrillville, IN – Every 15 seconds in the United States, domestic violence occurs. To bring awareness to the issue, Geminus led a panel discussion for survivors of domestic violence and local legal experts.

  “As a community, we can help survivors of domestic violence by speaking up for those who may still be afraid to speak up or seek help,” said Nicholas Neal, vice president of community services for Geminus Corporation. “Domestic violence is not just an individual’s or family's problem, it affects everyone.”

 Special guest speaker and survivor of domestic violence, Tierra B. Jackson, shared her story of survival and offered suggestions for advising victims on where to find help and support. Other panelists discussed how to recognize the signs of abuse in relationships, along with common red flags and characteristics seen in batterers.

 Attendees also learned:

• How to help protect victims of domestic violence, even during the vicious cycle of leaving and returning to the relationship.
• The church’s role in supporting and empowering victims and survivors.
• The requirements needed to obtain a protection order.
• Sentencing details for those charged with a crime related to domestic violence.

 Panelists included:

• Twan Stokes, regional manager for Lake County, Department of Child Services
• Bernard Carter, prosecutor, Lake County, IN
• Judge Thomas P. Stefaniak, Lake County Juvenile Superior Court
• Ryan Elinkowski, executive director of St. Jude House
• Brittany Caraballo, program facilitator for Abuse Intervention Management, State Certified Batters’ Intervention, Geminus
• Special Victims Unit, Lake County Sheriff’s Department
• Pastor Rick Cochran, Living Hope Church

 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In the U.S. alone, an incident of domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds. This means an abusive, violent, coercive, forceful or threatening act or word inflicted by one member of a family member or household on another happens nearly 100 times each and every day. Domestic violence shows itself in a number of different forms, both physically and emotionally. It affects women, men, and children, of all different economic statuses, races, religions, and cultures.

About Geminus

Geminus, a member of the Regional Care Group, partners with community-based health care providers, social service organizations, and early childhood education programs to help increase Hoosiers' access to high-quality care. As Northern Indiana’s largest nonprofit administrative service organization, Geminus also provides support services for health care nonprofits and human service organizations. For more information, visit Geminus.care.