By Jenny Boylan

For those who have become victims of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender domestic violence, it may seem as though getting help is out of reach, but it’s not.

Melissa Caldwell, a graduate student in the College of Social Work, has organized the LGBT Domestic Violence Panel, which will be held on Thursday. Caldwell will speak with Austin Matthews, an Eastern Kentucky University assistant professor, who has done research on intimate partner violence.

“My main goal is to show same-sex individuals that may go through intimate partner violence, that there is help for them and that they can speak out about violence too,” Caldwell said.She is also hopeful the panel will generate an increase in the research and education of intimate partner violence from all perspectives.

As a survivor of heterosexual domestic violence, Caldwell has attended many violence interventions and found that victims of same-sex domestic violence are often excluded from information on where to go to get help. She also found a lack in recognition of the issue that contributed to her interest and research on the topic.

Matthews has published a literature review about intimate partner violence and hopes to bring attention to the fact that it is an issue for couples in both the heterosexual and gay communities.

“I think it will help students because not only will it educate them about what makes same-sex partner violence unique, but it will also illustrate how it is similar to violence in heterosexual relationships,” Matthews said. “The message I will try to get across is that violence is something that people face regardless of their sexual orientation. As such, it is important that we pay attention to violence regardless of the context in which it occurs.”

Emily Roberts, a UK student studying social work, feels the panel will be a positive step forward.

“It is important that all groups are equally and well represented,” Roberts said. “The LGBT Domestic Violence Panel sounds like an excellent resource for those in the LGBT community to stay connected, and receive support from one another and from UK as a whole.”

The panel is open to all students and the public and will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in room 363 of the Student Center.