As we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April, Vector Solutions is excited to host our annual SAAM webinar, which provides administrators and practitioners the opportunity to hear from experts about best practices and strategies related to sexual violence prevention.
On April 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM ET, join our "10 Keys to Sexual Violence Prevention in 2021 | An Expert Panel Discussion" with Alison Kiss Dougherty and Shondrika Merritt.
This session will summarize research on the perception of African American college women on sexual violence and consider opportunities for organizational change to implement a sexual assault response team (SART). The session content stems from the blending of Alison Kiss Dougherty and Shondrika Merritt’s important research in these two areas.
Learning Outcomes:
- Participants will be able to revisit prevention material through a lens of intersectionality of race and sexual violence.
- Participants will be able to develop a plan to create a functioning response team including communication tools and member recruitment.
- Participants will understand best and promising practices for developing a comprehensive sexual violence prevention and response program.
About the Presenters
Shondrika Merritt
Assistant Dean of Students for Student Advocacy | The New School
Shondrika Merritt is a Student Affairs practitioner with 15 years of professional experience in student support and behavioral interventions, Title IX investigations and victim support, crisis management, staff and student training and development. She is currently the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Advocacy at the New School and is responsible for providing leadership for Title IX (Student-Student), Student Conduct and Community Standards, Student Disability Services, Student Support and Advocacy, and Wellness and Health Promotions. Before this role, Shondrika worked in Housing and Residential Life at Temple University, overseeing Student Behavior and Crisis Management.
Shondrika recently completed her Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Temple University. Her dissertation topic was titled African American Female College Students’ Perceptions of Sexual Violence. Her research explores how race, history, and culture have influenced the attitudes and perceptions of African American women regarding sexual violence. Through her research, Shondrika is able to give voice to African American women and their experiences.
Alison Kiss Dougherty
Senior Associate | Margolis Healy & Associates
Alison is a nationally recognized subject-matter expert in Title IX and the Clery Act. Her work has focused on training, planning, and organizational development for colleges, universities, and schools.
She was selected to serve on the United States Department of Education’s Negotiated Rule-making to assist in drafting the regulations for the Violence Against Women Act amendments to the Clery Act.
Previously, Alison served as Vice President of HR and Title IX Coordinator at Widener University. And, Alison served as Executive Director of the national non-profit Clery Center; Director of Drug, Alcohol, and Wellness Counseling for faculty, students, and staff at Saint Joseph’s University; and Director of Outreach and Education for the Domestic Abuse Project.