The Gabby Petito Foundation led an educational program on March 16 at Fairmont State University’s Colebank Gym, focusing on recognizing the signs of domestic violence and learning how to support victims. The event was organized in partnership with the university’s Title IX Office.
Raising awareness about intimate partner violence is crucial for prevention, according to organizers. Title IX Coordinator Jessica Kropog Furgason said, “Education and awareness are key to being proactive in preventing intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault.” She added that hearing from a family who lost a loved one to domestic violence gave attendees valuable insight into identifying and assisting those experiencing abuse.
The foundation was created in memory of Gabby Petito, a travel blogger whose disappearance and murder during a cross-country trip with her fiancé drew national attention in 2021. During the event, Gabby’s mother Nichole Schmidt and stepmother Tara Petito spoke about warning signs they wish they had recognized earlier. They told attendees that greater understanding of these indicators might have prevented Gabby’s death.
Schmidt and Petito discussed early behaviors associated with abuse and reviewed police body camera footage from an incident where bystanders reported physical assault against Gabby. They highlighted errors made by responding officers as contributing factors to the tragedy, emphasizing the need for better education among law enforcement and community members regarding intervention strategies.
Despite their ongoing grief, Gabby’s family remains dedicated to using her story as a tool for change. “We say that if we can help one person by sharing Gabby’s story, we’re doing what we should be doing,” said Tara Petito. “Hearing people say how Gabby helped them makes us keep going and gives us hope.”
More information about the foundation is available at gabbypetitofoundation.org.
