DHS Oct. lecture looks at "Domestic Violence: the Hidden Epidemic"

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --  Do you know how to help a victim of domestic violence? Most of us think we know exactly the best way to respond – but do we? The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) presents “Domestic Violence-The Hidden Epidemic,” as the next installment in the Fall Lecture Series.  This presentation will highlight the signs of domestic violence among DHS clients and co-workers as well as pathways to safety. Learn about what helps – and what doesn’t.

The lecture will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 29 noon to 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

Guest speaker is Jacqueline Steyn, who has held the position of Chief Programs and Compliance Officer at the YWCA Oklahoma City serving victims of domestic violence and their children for 10 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has practiced as a mental health professional for over 25 years in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. She has held academic posts teaching psychology at the university level.

Steyn serves on the Oklahoma Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Office of the Attorney General’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advisory Council, Oklahoma Justice Commission, Oklahoma County Post-Adjudication Review Board, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Special Review Committee, DHS Domestic Violence Task Force and DHS Trauma-Informed Steering Committee.

She is the recipient of the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award for her statewide efforts to improve services for women and children impacted by domestic violence, the Interagency Task Force for Child Abuse Prevention award for statewide child abuse prevention efforts and the Liberty Bell Award from the Oklahoma County Bar Association.

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma's emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the DHS Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other. 

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at (405) 521-3552 or visit the Practice and Policy Lecture Series website 

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