The Levin College of Law will host a panel today on domestic violence victims who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
The panel is part of the “Survivors” Defendant/Victims of Domestic Violence Conference, which began Thursday. Starting at 9 a.m. today in the Advocacy Center, speakers will present stories on victims of domestic violence.
Linda A. Osmundson, the executive director for Community Action Stops Abuse, will kick off the first presentation, followed by presentations from attorneys Joshua Safran and Kevin Cobbin. The speakers will then participate in a panel discussion at 1:45 p.m., with closing remarks beginning at 2:45 p.m.
On Thursday, the conference featured a viewing of the documentary “Crime after Crime: The Battle to free Deborah Peagler.” Safran answered questions after the documentary on Peagler, who was allegedly involved in the death of her husband — who forced her into prostitution and abused her — and subsequently served 25 years in prison.
Monique Haughton Worrell, the associate director of the Criminal Justice Center, said the conference focuses on women who ended up in the criminal justice system as a result of the violence committed against them.
“We think it’s important that people realize that people who are victims of violence can also be defendants,” Worrell said.
Ashley Martell, a second-year UF law student, said she thinks the law school picked a great focus for the conference this year.
“I’m glad the law school is hosting an event like this.” Martell, 23, said. “I’m proud to be a part of a school that holds events on current, sometimes controversial, legal issues.”
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 10/31/2014]
