MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Maria Turkson, associate teaching professor of psychology at Penn State Harrisburg, will lead a panel of experts in a discussion about domestic violence prevention from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in the Olmsted Building, Room C213. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The event will include presentations, short videos and a Q&A panel, all aimed at fostering greater awareness of domestic violence and prevention strategies.

Turkson will be joined by community leaders representing law, advocacy, financial planning, public safety and health care, including:

• Jennifer Gettle, chief deputy district attorney for Dauphin County and recipient of the Governor’s Victim Advocacy Award
• David Zayas, assistant director of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program
• Jessica Stoddard, victim advocate with the Lower Paxton Police Department Victim/Witness Assistance Program
• Becca Zelner, lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Jeffrey West, financial planner and owner of Freedom Financial
• Daniel Wright, public safety director for the Middletown Police Department
• Katie Savory, sexual assault nurse examiner
• UPMC forensic nurse team

The event is open to the public and parking in the rear Olmsted lot is free for attendees. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple, the color of domestic violence awareness, to show unity in efforts to end abuse. For more information, contact Turkson at mat17@psu.edu.

Turkson has received DomesticShelters.org’s international Best Youth Initiative award in both 2024 and 2025 for educating students on domestic violence prevention, as well as the 2025 Best Community Education award.