RADNOR, Pa. (Oct. 19, 2015)—On Oct. 15, Cabrini College welcomed more than 200 students, educators, and community leaders for the 5th annual Domestic Violence Symposium.
In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the symposium hosted speakers and experts who discussed ways to identify and address dating violence and sexual assault.
Kicking off the program, President Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., announced that Cabrini was one of only 27 universities to receive a nearly $300K grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s on Violence Against Women (OVW). The grant funds will be used to enhance the prevention of—and response to—sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus. The Laurel House, Delaware County Women Against Rape, and Radnor Police will continue to work with the College to implement further education initiatives with the grant funds.
During the daylong event, Bill Mitchell, founder of the Kristin Mitchell Foundation, presented a personal account of the effect of dating violence. Ten years ago, Mitchell’s daughter was murdered by her boyfriend three days after graduating from college. He spoke to attendees about the warning signs and dangerous consequences of intimate partner violence.
NBC 10’s Tracy Davidson moderated a panel discussion with advocates from local organizations including the Laurel House, Homeland Security, Clery Center for Security on Campus, Delaware County Women Against Rape, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Mission Kids Advocacy Center. The in-depth discussion examined prevention, victim services, and the effect of violence on children. Attendees could further explore these topics at breakout sessions with advocates in the afternoon.
Lynn Rosenthal, vice president of strategic partnerships, briefly addressed attendees and later met with students during lunch. Formerly, Rosenthal served as the first White House Advisor on Violence Against Women.
Concluding the program, Angela Rose, founder and executive director of Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment, discussed her abduction and sexual assault at age 17. Rose turned tragedy into community action, and encouraged the audience to help end sexual violence through advocacy.
The Domestic Violence Symposium is underwritten by the Barbara & John Jordan Endowed Fund to Promote Domestic Violence Education at Cabrini College. The Jordan Endowed Fund helps support community outreach on domestic violence, with a special focus on training for K-12 teachers.
For more information on the Domestic Violence Symposium or its presenters, visitwww.cabrini.edu/dvsymposium.
Cabrini was awarded Grant No. 2015-WA-AX-0029 by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.
About Cabrini College
Students do extraordinary things at Cabrini College, a residential Catholic college welcoming learners of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.
Since its founding in 1957 by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the College has provided a transformational Education of the Heart, focusing on academic excellence, leadership development, and a commitment to social justice.
Cabrini enrolls about 1,300 undergraduates in more than 30 majors, pre‑professional programs, concentrations and minors on its serene 112‑acre campus located 30 minutes from Philadelphia. The College also enrolls about 1,100 students in graduate and professional studies programs at its main campus in Radnor, Pa., and at 13 off‑site locations.