Page 42 - The Indian EYE 102221

NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline OCTOBER 22, 2021 | The Indian Eye 42

aaPi’s Panel Discussion explores Ways To

“stop Domestic Violence”

Our Bureau & Obesity Specialist at RNJ

New York Barnabas Hospital, New Jersey,
pointed out that Domestic Vi-
n international web-con- olence is prevalent in all parts
ference on Ways to Pre- of the world. Sharing her own
Avent Domestic Violence, life’s challenges and abuses, Dr.
with renowned speakers from Saran said, “Coming from very
across the United States and In- traditional society back in India,
dia was organized by the Wom- initially I thought it was happen-
en’s Committee of the American ing to me because of my back-
Association of Physicians of In- ground.” Married to a dominant
dian Origin (AAPI) on Sunday, domestic partners, according Chair, introduced the panelists, person, who was demanding, but
October 17th, 2021. to the U.S. Centers for Disease and explained the significance suspicious and with trust issues,
Describing Domestic Vi- Control and Prevention. The of the Color Purple, which is a she had suffered immensely
olence as “a serious public very important discussion today symbol of courage. Setting the with insecurity and complexities
health concern” Dr. Anupama with an experts panel is aimed at stage and the context for this of married life with intimida-
Gotimukula, President of AAPI, helping AAPI members and the very important area of con- tion and fearful for her own life.
in her welcome address said, larger society to learn on ways to cern, Dr. Arora said, “October But she was able to turn her life
“October is Domestic Aware- help promote healthy, respectful is ‘Domestic Violence Aware- around and has made a positive
ness Month. Nearly one in four and nonviolent relationships.” ness’ month. AAPI women’s impact in the society. “Now, I
women and one in seven men in Dr. Seema Arora, past AAPI physicians committee is trying am to reach out to other women
the U.S. have experienced physi- BOT Chair and currently serving to increase awareness towards who need support,” she said.
cal violence at the hands of their as AAPI Women’s Committee this very prevalent but subdued Dr. Meher Medavaram, a
age-old problem that can affect member of AAPI’s Women’s
any gender, race, region & so- Committee introduced Deanne
cio-economic strata in a panel Mazzochi, Illinois State Repre-
discussion with renowned panel- sentative, Attorney Life Science
ists from around the world.” Law. Rep. Mazzochi shared with
Lata Rao, a Domestic Vio- the audience about her work as
lence Survivor and Domestic Vi- a state legislator and as an at-
olence Advocate, referring brief- torney who works with women
ly to her life in the past, focused and families, ensuring the safety
more on her efforts to prevent of those in DV situations. She
domestic violence. Describing described the many laws and
her past and the “most dreadful legal systems that are available
events” she had experienced in to victims of DV in the state of
her life, impacting her physical, Illinois. She advocated that one
emotional and mental wellbeing, should “ensure that you have a
she said, “I wanted to do some- safe place to live,” if and when
thing for myself” starting her you want to leave an unhealthy
own business which was resent- relationship.
ed by her ex- spouse. “I encour- Dr. Manju Sheth, an In-
age women not to be what I went ternist, practicing Medicine at
through” but to be more inde- Beth Israel Lahey, MA, Chair
pendent. She told the audience and Advisory Board Member
how meeting with mentors and at SAHELI, Member of Asian
having a support system gradual- Task Force Against Domestic
ly changed her life, while forgiv- Violence, President of “Women
ing and staying positive helped Who Win,” urged fellow physi-
me start a new phase in her life. cians “to stay vigilant and col-
“Today, I use my experiences as a laborate” and look for signs/red
tool to support and educate oth- flags to identify violence “as the
er women,” Ms. Rao said. patients can present with a mul-
Dr. Preeti Saran, Domestic titude of unrelated symptoms
Violence Survivor and current- that only compassionate ques-
ly practicing Family Medicine tions can reveal clearly.”

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