Preventionfocus to Honor UB's Suzanne Tomkins for Work in Domestic Violence Prevention

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Suzanne E. Tomkins, clinical associate professor in the University at Buffalo Law School, will be recognized for her tireless work in the area of domestic violence at a dinner to be held Preventionfocus at 6 p.m. June 19 in Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Rd., Depew.

Tomkins will receive the 2003 Joan Levine Award, the highest given by Preventionfocus, in recognition of professional women who have shown outstanding dedication to improving the quality of life of women in Western New York.

A nationally known expert on family and domestic violence, Tomkins has served since 1992 as director of the Family Violence Clinic in the UB Law School, a clinic used to educate law students on domestic-violence law and the legal representation of clients.

Tomkins' research interests include the creation, implementation and evaluation of multidisciplinary responses to violence between people in domestic relationships. She has developed county-wide protocols on domestic violence and the legal representation of clients used throughout the region, and has assisted in creating similar protocols in Ushgarod, Ukraine, under the auspices of Project Harmony, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State.

Under her guidance, the UB Family Violence Clinic has received numerous grants to conduct evaluations of various facets of the legal system's response to family violence, and has created a number of legal educational resources, including training plans, manuals, Web sites and a newsletter published biannually.

In addition, Tomkins serves as faculty advisor to the Domestic Violence Task Force at UB, a volunteer group that promotes awareness of domestic violence through presentations and training, provides lay advocacy in family court for victims of domestic violence and offers a legal clinic for battered women in collaboration with Haven House and the Volunteer Lawyer's Project.

Preventionfocus works throughout Erie County to promote healthy lifestyles for all ages through educational programs in stress management, problem-solving techniques, conflict resolution, and harmful involvement with alcohol and other substances. Tickets for the dinner are available by calling 884-3256.

Tomkins received a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in women's studies from Buffalo State College and a juris doctor degree from UB.

She is a resident of Grand Island.