What can be done to head off domestic violence such as the two tragic incidents that have made headlines during the past week? A state task force on domestic violence homicide prevention headed by Michigan Lt. Gov. Richard Posthumus is looking into the problem during a series of public hearings, the third of which will be held at Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. WSU President Irvin D. Reid will give welcoming remarks.

Among those offering information to the task force will be WSU professors who have studied domestic violence and developed prevention programs for use by community organizations. Researchers at the university's School of Social Work have conducted a dozen studies since 1997. They have found that domestic violence prevention needs to begin long before adulthood, even with dating violence prevention programs in middle school. They also found that minorities may face special challenges due to lack of adequate services, prevention programs that ignore cultural differences and other factors.

The following social work professors at WSU can comment on domestic violence issues and prevention programs: Anna Santiago, Arlene Weisz, Beverly Black.

Sharon Popp. M.D., professor in the WSU School of Medicine, also can address the issue. She is co-chair of the school's interpersonal violence prevention program in the curriculum.