Luncheon Forum

Dr. Neal Bear Speaks at JFVS Luncheon

(Louisville, KY) -- On February 28 2006, Dr. Baer, Executive Director of Law & Order:SVU was the guest speaker at a lunch forum fundraising event for Jewish Family & Vocational Service held at the Hyatt Regency downtown. Dr. Baer spoke on how he has utilized television to not only educate the public, but also to change their opinions about tough issues such as rape and HIV. Dr. Bear used his personal experiences as a physician and educator and transformed them into public stories on Law and Order: SVU and previously for six seasons on the hit NBC show ER. Many of these stories mirrored lives of people who walk through the doors everyday at Jewish Family & Vocational Service.

“When shows like this cover issues such as rape or abuse, we see an increase in the number of calls from victims seeking help,” said Judy Freundlich Tiell, Executive Director of Jewish Family & Vocational Service. “When people see something in the media, it reinforces their feelings that something may be wrong and they seek help. In addition, current clients often bring in questions they might have based on shows such as Law and Order: SVU and this information is used in the clinical setting”.

Law & Order: SVU chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department, the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes. In order to provide the most accurate information possible, the following programs and organizations work with Special Victims Unit to provide accurate and timely information regarding health and sexual abuse storylines. Some also offer victims' support.

The Rape Treatment Center
Located at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, The RTC is nationally recognized for its exemplary treatment, education, and prevention programs.

The Norman Lear Center/Hollywood Health & Society
Hollywood, Health & Society is a program at the Norman Lear Center that provides entertainment industry professionals with accurate and timely information for health storylines. The program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NIH's National Cancer Institute (NCI).

The Media Project
A program of advocates for youth, The Media Project offers entertainment professionals the latest facts, research assistance, script consultation, and story ideas on today's sexual and reproductive health issues, including condoms, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, abstinence, and abortion.

Sexual Assault Victim Intervention Program
This program offers prevention education, victim intervention services, and comprehensive victim advocate and command point of contact training.

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

*This activity was planned & implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas & Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Norton Healthcare & JFVS. Norton Healthcare is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. Norton Healthcare designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 hour in Category I credit towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Physicians should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the activity. For questions related to CME, contact Carol Fout-Zignani at 502-629-8574 or carol.fout-zignani@nortonhealthcare.org

Kentucky Board of Licensure of marriage and Family Therapists has approved this event for continuing education units.

Social Work CEUs are approved.