SXU to Host Showing of Domestic Violence Documentary
Saint Xavier University (SXU), along with the Domestic Violence Task Force of the Archdiocese of Chicago, will host a showing of "This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep," a detective's quest for justice in domestic violence mishandling, cover-ups and abuse from deep within law enforcement, on Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. in McGuire Hall.
Keynote speaker Sheriff Tom Dart will bring humane, compassionate, innovative, and thoughtful approaches to law enforcement and community engagement. After the showing, there will be a panel discussion with domestic violence content experts Aileen Robinson, assistant director of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and Itadel Shalabi, executive director of Arab American Family Services.
"This event is a collaboration between SXU and the Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach (ACDVO) committee to heighten awareness in our community regarding the huge concern of domestic violence affecting millions of people in the United States. After the showing, we will focus on awareness, services, and prevention," said Charlene Bermele, DNP, interim dean of SXU’s College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business (CNHSB).
Saint Xavier's School of Nursing incorporates within its teachings trainings that heighten nursing students' awareness of signs and symptoms of domestic violence and available resources. SXU's nursing students attend domestic violence court as a way to understand the process a victim has to go through in seeking orders of protection from their perpetrators.
"Since SXU offers various programs in nursing, criminal justice and psychology, where topics of domestic violence may be more prevalent, it's important that we educate our students on how to detect and support victims of abuse," said Bermele.
Attending health care professionals will be awarded one continuing education (CE) credit.
For more information, contact Susan Panice, administrative assistant to the dean, at paniceFREESXU.
About the Speakers
Sheriff Tom Dart has dedicated his career to challenging injustice, fighting the violence plaguing our communities, and bringing new, thoughtful approaches to public service.
After serving as a prosecutor and an Illinois state legislator, Sheriff Dart was elected by the people of Cook County and has brought his reformative vision and his commitment to action to his role as sheriff. Sheriff Dart has rewritten the book on what a sheriff can accomplish, looking inside and outside of the conventions of law enforcement for nuanced and thoughtful solutions to help people.
Aileen Robinson has worked for the Chicago Police Department in the Domestic Violence/Crime Victim Services Program for the last 24 years. Prior to working for the Chicago Police Department, Robinson worked for a variety of domestic violence and women-centered community-based agencies. Robinson has a special interest in working with organizations to address child abuse and neglect. She has a bachelor's degree in social work and a master'' degree in professional counseling. Robinson responded to the July 2022 Highland Park mass incident to provide support for victims. Robinson has been fortunate to be the recipient of several local awards and is featured in several media interviews.
Itadel Shalabi co-founded Arab American Family Services in 2001. Shalabi is a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Domestic Violence as well as the Mayor of Chicago's Advisory Council on Domestic Violence. Shalabi is a board member of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and an Advisory Board Member to the National Network For Arab American Communities.
Shalabi earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Jane Adams College of Social Work.