Each year, FIU Law’s Women’s Law Society hosts Dannette’s Voice – a lunch and panel discussion that spotlights domestic violence. This year, the Employment and Labor Law Society co-hosted along with them. The event is held in memory of Dannette Willory, a fellow law student who was tragically killed by her boyfriend in 2011.
This year’s topic focused on the issue of domestic violence in the work place. Discussion centered around how employers handle situations where there is a victim and an abuser working at the same place of business and how victims can seek help/protection from the court system and have their employers assist in carrying out those protections of the victim while he/she is working. As well, participants discussed the weaknesses of the current laws with regards to the amount of time a victim may take off work to attend court proceedings, find new housing and get help. The panel went further to share how these laws should be amended to provide victims the possibility of taking time off of work to handle these situations and take the necessary steps to get help and safety.
PHOTO CAPTION
From left to right: Marina Veiga, Josefine Blick, Madison Nesbitt, Lauren Fernandez, Esq., Karim Batista, Esq., Assistant State Attorney Mari Jimenez, Esq., Kendra New, Ashley Allison, Farosha Andasheva and Rachel Gonzalez.