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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Author To Speak On Family Abuse

The more people know about child abuse, the more likely they are to report their suspicions, says Mike Bullard.

At the invitation of the First Presbyterian Church pastor and the North Idaho Coalition on Domestic Violence, author Christina Crawford will speak at a conference on family violence Wednesday and Thursday.

“We want to raise awareness that domestic violence is not just O.J. (Simpson) or Susan Smith,” Bullard said. “A couple of kids a year are murdered in Idaho, usually by family members.”

The conference will be held at the church, 521 Lakeside Ave. To register, call 667-8446. The charge is $5.

Crawford wrote about her abusive childhood as the daughter of actress Joan Crawford in “Mommie Dearest.” She will be featured at an 11 a.m. Wednesday lunch. The $10 lunch tickets must be purchased in advance.

Crawford will give a 1 p.m. speech about healing, followed by a workshop on overcoming family violence.

Wednesday evening workshops will start at 7.

They will feature Sue Manley Smith of the Post Falls Police Department, Holladay Sanderson of the Women’s Center and recovered victims discussing the cause of abuse and its treatment.

Bullard will discuss the role of churches in relation to family violence.

Will Ross of the state’s Adult Protective Services program will speak about adult abuse.

Other workshops Wednesday will study the effect of family violence on schools and the medical community.

Thursday workshops will start at 9 a.m.

They will cover batterer treatment programs, law enforcement’s role, and task force development.