Point Park Hosts Student Summit of Universities Working Together to Stop Sexual Violence Monday, April 3, 2017
Pittsburgh artist Saige Baxter introduces her film, "Every Two Minutes."
More than 60 college students throughout the Pittsburgh region attended the 2017 Student Summit "Looking Forward - Combatting Sexual Violence On Campus" hosted at Point Park University March 25.
Point Park M.A. in clinical-community psychology graduate students Chelsea Chase and Kylie Lictenstein organized the event in collaboration with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.
"A summit with multiple universities seemed like the best way to not only provide education on this important topic, but also to create a place to gain tools to be agents of change," explained Chase, who is from Lake Shore High School in Angola, N.Y.
Chase interns for PAAR and will begin Point Park's Psy.D. in clinical-community psychology program this fall.
Featured speakers at the all-day summit included students and administrators from Point Park University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University and Seton Hill University. They addressed topics ranging from social change and consent in sexual relationships to bystander interventions and how men can be allies to women in the fight against sexual violence.
Additionally, a local artist presented her advocacy organization, Stamped, and their film, "Every Two Minutes."
Point Park Assistant Professor and Director of the M.A. Clinical-Community Psychology program Sarah Schulz, Ph.D., LSW, discussed street harassment issues on college campuses, using the results from the University's latest campus climate survey.
"Sexual violence on college campuses is a problem facing all college students. The great thing about this summit was that it brought together students and administrators from a number of universities to speak about the unique issues facing their campuses," Schulz said.
Schulz added: "As a faculty member, I will always support our students in their endeavors to pursue their passions and to make change in their communities. We are proud of our students who worked hard to bring this event to our campus."
"The main takeaway message from all the speakers was that anyone and everyone can do something. They communicated directly to students that we can change both the climate and policies of our respective campuses," Chase said.
"As a member of several campus organizations, including Confluence Psychology Alliance, and simply as a person in the world, it is extremely important to be aware of sexual violence, and, ideally, to prevent it from happening. We also have the ability to offer resources and support to those affected," explained Charlee Bruce, a sophomore psychology major from Butler Senior High School in Butler, Pa.
According to Bruce, Point Park was a great spot to host this summit due to its central location in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Tracie Cardone, a 2015 Point Park history alumna and M.Ed. secondary education in citizenship graduate student from Kiski Area High School in Vandergrift, Pa., said: "I learned at the summit that we need to work on getting awareness and education out to all students regarding consent and the resources that are available on campus including various Title IX resources."
Chase added: "One of the best things I learned from this event was that people care as deeply about these issues as I do. There was such a variety of people there coming together to make change across Pittsburgh. I couldn't have asked for more from an event. We have some pretty amazing students in Pittsburgh!"
Photos by Gracey Evans, sophomore photojournalism major