Capping off Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the WoMen’s and Adult Reentry Center hosts the 17th annual Violence Prevention Conference Friday, Oct. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion.
The conference theme, “Empowerment as Prevention,” explores the causes and prevention of violence, from intimate partner violence and sexual assault to stalking, bullying and sexual harassment. Elahe Amani, women’s rights activist and director of technology services for the Student Affairs Division, will serve as keynote speaker.
“The conference is an opportunity to get students, faculty and staff talking about the basics of violence and how we can empower ourselves to be part of changing the underlying culture,” said Rosalina Camacho, coordinator of the WoMen’s Center.
“There are still a lot of social stigmas about gender-related violence,” she said. “Events like this help educate our campus community to move away from stereotypes, to stop blaming victims and survivors, and to start looking at this as a significant societal problem.”
Topics and speakers include:
- “Step Up 2.0: Bystander Intervention Strategies” with CSUF violence prevention peer educators
- “Femininity as the Unbearable Mark for Violence” with Karyl E. Ketchum, associate professor of women and gender studies
- “Culture and the Experience of Interpersonal Violence” with Mikyong Kim-Goh, professor of social work
- “What’s Love Got to Do With It?: A Look at Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships” with Human Options
- “Redefining Masculinity: Men in the Movement to End Violence” with Mike Knox, director of UCI’s new student and leadership programs
- “How Women’s Rights Became Human Rights” with Shweta Adur, assistant professor of women and gender studies
- “Myths and Misconceptions About Violence Against Women” with Veronica Herrera, assistant professor of criminal justice
- “Intervening in the Uncomfortable: ‘Speaking Up’ Among Friends and Peers” with Devon Thacker Thomas, assistant professor of sociology
The free, public event is open to students, staff, faculty and community members. Registration is available online.
For more information, contact the WoMen’s and Adult Reentry Center at 657-278-3928.