The O.J. Simpson murder trial not only riveted a nation but also propelled the issue of domestic violence into the forefront of America’s consciousness. Nicole Brown Simpson, O.J. Simpson’s murdered wife, became an international “poster child” for domestic violence. The Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center at DePaul University will examine how the issue of domestic violence went from center stage during the Simpson trial to near obscurity in its wake when the center presents its second annual Distinguished Valentine’s Day Lecture at 3 p.m. Feb. 14 at DePaul’s Egan Urban Center, 243 S. Wabash Ave., 9th Floor.

The program also will preview the findings of a study on domestic violence in Illinois, conducted by the center and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Lynn Rosenthal, director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund, will be the program’s featured speaker. In her role as Washington, D.C.’s chief advocate for battered women and victims of sexual assault, Rosenthal has her finger on the pulse of issues related to domestic violence and how attention given to them by law enforcement and lawmakers plays out on the national stage.

Her presentation, “O.J. Simpson Ten Years Later: Violence & Sexual Assault Against Women,” will address the growing invisibility of the issue of violence and sexual assault against women; the reasons for this situation; the lack of national leadership and its effects; and specific emergency policy issues and challenges in the current reality of indifference and fiscal cutbacks.

“In 1995, during the trial of O.J. Simpson, the entire nation seemed to be focused on the issue of domestic violence,” said Rothenthal. “Now, 10 years later, the issue appears to have disappeared as a critical matter. Into this vacuum abusers have stepped, and domestic violence has been increasing.”

During the program, preliminary findings of research conducted to assess the attention given to domestic violence in Illinois will be discussed. The initial findings of the study, which is the culmination of a one-year research effort undertaken by center staff in partnership with Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office, reflect a lack of attention paid to domestic violence, with a low number of cases completed in criminal courts and declining numbers of cases coming to the attention of law enforcement. The complete study is scheduled for release in April of 2005.

“This program is designed to focus attention on the issue of domestic violence and to maintain an ongoing dialogue about what can be done to assist those who fall victim to its wrath,” said Jody Raphael, an attorney with the center, who has been actively involved in conducting research for the study. “It is no accident that the program is held Valentine’s Day. It provides a perfect opportunity to raise public awareness about the issue of domestic violence in the Chicago metropolitan area.”

According to Leslie Landis, who directs Chicago’s mayoral Office on Domestic Violence and who provided technical assistance for the research project, the study’s results could bring additional resources to the fore in the fight against domestic violence. “As important as the court system is, it is important to take the community into consideration and to determine what role community members have in combating domestic violence,” said Landis. “We look forward to this report showing us the way.”

Established in 2000, the Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center focuses on law reform, system change and direct service in major areas of family law. Teaming with a range of community-based organizations, the center works to serve as a central point for research, needs assessment, advocacy and public education to improve Chicago’s response to women and girls who are victims of violence.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jody Raphael at 312/362-5205 or 708-275-8071.