April 19, 2024

Title IX Responsible Employee Training, Oct. 25

October 20, 2022 by

The Office of Title IX and ADA Compliance, along with the Center for Prevention and Education (CPE), is hosting Responsible Employee training on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in the Colonnade Room, CRUC 315. All faculty and staff* are responsible employees, which requires them to report information about Title IX incidents under our Prohibited Conduct Policy. Join Director of Compliance and Title IX/ADA Coordinator Ruth Davison and CPE Director Marissa Miller to learn more about your role, the policy, reporting, quick tips on managing a disclosure and more. This training extends your introduction from new employee orientation. Therefore, it is a perfect time to learn more, seek clarification or refresh your knowledge. Contact Davison (tix@umw.edu) or Miller (prevention@umw.edu) with additional questions.

*Please note that confidential staff (Talley Center for Counseling Services, Student Health Center and athletic trainers) are the only exceptions to reporting obligations.

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Book Talk With Dr. Laura Wilson, April 7

March 6, 2022 by

Colleagues,

Dr. Laura Wilson

Dr. Laura Wilson

Please join us for this exciting and educational conversation with Dr. Laura Wilson, who recently co-authored A Clinician’s Guide to Disclosures of Sexual Assault. This event will occur on Thursday, April 7th, between 4-5 pm in the HCC’s Digital Auditorium. We will provide light refreshments, and the first ten attendees will receive a copy of the book.

About the Co-Author: Laura C. Wilson received her BS in Psychology and Sociology from Virginia Tech, her MA in General/Experimental Psychology from the College of William & Mary, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Tech. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. She joined the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Mary Washington in 2013 and is currently an Associate Professor. She also currently serves as the Director of the University of Mary Washington Safe Zone, a program that advocates for and educates about the LGBTQ+ community.

About the Book: Sexual assault is a worldwide public health concern, as it occurs to people of all genders at alarming rates and results in serious impacts to physical and mental health. Furthermore, the reactions that survivors receive from formal and informal supports can significantly influence survivors’ recovery. Given the prevalence of sexual assault, practitioners need to be prepared to handle disclosures of sexual assault from clients.

A Clinician’s Guide to Disclosures of Sexual Assault provides guidance for service providers on how to interact with survivors of sexual assault, defined here as sexual contact or penetration without the explicit consent of the victim. The book highlights that there are specific populations (e.g., sexual minorities, men) and settings (e.g., military, higher education) that require unique considerations when discussing sexual violence. Beginning with a foundation of literature focused on sexual assault and survivor disclosure, chapters build upon current theory and offer recommendations for conducting effective assessments and psychotherapy with survivors. Finally, case examples are presented to illustrate how these approaches can be used in practice. Professionals across disciplines, such as medical or educational settings, law enforcement, and victim services, have an instrumental role in facilitating survivor recovery, and this book offers best practices for delivering services in an affirming manner.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Prevention and Education (CPE), Department of Psychological Science, Safe Zone, Talley Center for Counseling Services, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGST).

For more information, contact prevention@umw.edu

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New Position, Grant Bolster UMW’s Center for Prevention and Education

October 14, 2021 by
Marissa Miller wants University of Mary Washington students to know that when they disclose incidents of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking, they will be heard and supported. “Many assume they’ll have to come in and share their story,” said Miller, who recently became the director of UMW’s Center for Prevention and Education, or […]
Filed Under: Center for Prevention and Education, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , ,

Denim Day 2021

April 11, 2021 by

Denim Day adGreetings Faculty and Staff,

The Center for Prevention and Education (CPE) will close out Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) on Wednesday, April 28th, with Denim Day. The UMW Community is encouraged to wear denim to promote a discussion about myths and stereotypes surrounding sexual assault. Although we cannot gather on the steps of GW for our annual group picture, we want to present a collage of employees wearing denim throughout the day on social media.

Please complete the Denim Day Form if you are interested in submitting a picture for the collage by 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 28th. Or email Marissa Miller (prevention@umw.edu). Early submissions are welcome.

If you are interested in posting a picture on your personal and/or UMW affiliated accounts, please use the toolkit below:

  • Tag us on Instagram (@UMWCPE) or Facebook
  • Use #denimday
  • On April 28, wear denim with a purpose

Denim Day and wearing jeans in April became an international symbol of protest of harmful attitudes about sexual assault after an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a sexual assault conviction because the survivor wore tight jeans. The first Denim Day in the United States occurred in 1999 organized by Peace Over Violence, a nonprofit based out of Los Angeles. Learn more on the Denim Day website.

In solidarity,

Marissa Miller
Center for Prevention and Education

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25th Anniversary for Day of Silence, Friday, April 24

April 22, 2020 by

The following message is from the Office of Equity and Access.

Friday, April 24th, will mark the 25th Anniversary for Day of Silence*. We are asking the UMW Community to virtually participate in this vital event. We may not be able to create a rainbow of shirts on the grass of Ball Circle, but the UMW community continues to affirm an inclusive and supportive community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) citizens and allies. We can demonstrate this by letting our voice be heard via #UMWisHOME and we must #breakthesilence.

Here is a toolkit to help make your voice heard on Friday, April 24th, during the Annual Day of Silence:

  • At 12pm, create a virtual “Moment of Silence” by posting our unified image to your individual or UMW affiliated accounts on social media. Please see attached images for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can add any of the following information from GLSEN to your post:

o   Our silence is LOUD!

o   I’m staying silent on GLSEN’s Day of Silence, a national youth movement highlighting the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school.

o   Nearly 4 in 5 LGBTQ students don’t see positive representation in their curriculum, nearly 9 in 10 experience verbal harassment, and almost a third miss school because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

  • At 4pm, “Break the Silence!”

o   By answering the prompt, I AM BREAKING THE SILENCE BY…?

  • Submit to PRISM for a re-post:
  • DM PRISM (@umwprism) with your story
  • Email PRISM (umwprism@gmail.com) with your story
  • Your name will not be shared through the repost nor will you be tagged. However, pictures and/or videos are not private if we repost them.
  • Post your response to your social media account, if it is a safe space for you to do so.

o   Follow PRISM (@umwprism) on Instagram to view submitted prompt responses.

In keeping with our values outlined in ASPIRE, join us in celebrating the 25th Annual Day of Silence.

People for the Rights of Individuals of Sexual and Gender Minorities (PRISM)
Center for Prevention and Education
James Farmer Multicultural Center
Office of Title IX
Safe Zone
Talley Center for Counseling Services
Vice President for Equity and Access & Chief Diversity Officer

Information on resources and support can be found on SAFE ZONE’s webpage.

* Day of Silence was first organized by a student at the University of Virginia in 1996 as part of a class project. The following year almost 100 colleges and universities participated, making it a national event. College and university students have driven and participated in many movements throughout history, and the UMW Community is no exception. This includes Day of Silence powered by PRISM, a student-led organization that promotes the values of diversity and acceptance of students of sexual and gender minorities.

In 2000, Day of Silence became an official initiative with GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network).

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#DenimDay

April 20, 2020 by

Greetings Faculty and Staff,

Mary Washington will close out Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Wednesday, April 29th, with Denim Day. The UMW Community is encouraged to wear denim to promote a discussion about myths and stereotypes surrounding sexual assault. Although, we are not on campus, we want to present a collage of employees wearing denim throughout the day on social media.

Please complete the Denim Day Form if you are interested in submitting a picture for the collage by 10am, Wednesday, April 29th. Or email Marissa Miller (mmille23@umw.edu). Early submissions are welcome.

If you are interested in posting a picture on your personal and/or UMW affiliated accounts, please use the toolkit below:

  • Tag us on Instagram (@UMWCPE) or Facebook (@UMWCPE)
  • Use #denimday and #UMWisHOME
  • On April 29, wear denim with a purpose

Denim Day and wearing jeans in April became an international symbol of protest of harmful attitudes about sexual assault after an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a sexual assault conviction because the survivor wore tight jeans. The first Denim Day in the United States occurred in 1999 organized by Peace Over Violence, a nonprofit based out of Los Angeles. Learn more on the Denim Day website.

In solidarity,

Marissa Miller
Center for Prevention and Education

Filed Under: What's New @ UMW Tagged With: ,

UMW, Other Virginia Campuses to Hold Virtual ‘Take Back the Night’

April 6, 2020 by
Take Back the Night – an international event that aims to end sexual, relationship and domestic violence in all forms – has had many incarnations since its inception more than 35 years ago, from rallies, marches and performances, to runs, walks and biking events. Now, with the looming presence of COVID-19, the event is going […]
Filed Under: Center for Prevention and Education, ekagan, mpalguta, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Top Stories, Virginia Campus Task Force Tagged With: , , , ,

UMW, Other Virginia Campuses Hold Virtual ‘Take Back the Night’

April 2, 2020 by

Take Back the Night – an international event that aims to end sexual, relationship and domestic violence in all forms – has had many incarnations since its inception more than 35 years ago, from rallies, marches and performances, to runs, walks and biking events. Now, with the looming presence of COVID-19, the event went virtual for the first time ever. Take Back the Night for 2020 is Take Back the Net.

Held as an annual speak-out and candlelight vigil at Mary Washington for over two decades, the event brings together the University and Fredericksburg communities to share personal stories of resilience and recovery, stand up against sexual assault and gender-based violence, and let survivors know they are not alone.

Unable to assemble in person, UMW Eagles joined electronically with colleges and universities across the Commonwealth for Take Back the Net on Tuesday evening. Spearheaded by the Virginia Campus Task Force, this Zoom gathering featured survivors, advocates and allies, including several Mary Washington students and alumni. The event came as higher education institutions nationwide observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April. Read more.

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 1, 2020 by

The following message is from UMW’s Center for Prevention and Education:

Across the nation, April is celebrated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This is a time for raising awareness of sexual assault and gender-based violence, as well as celebrating the strength of survivors, passion of advocates, and compassion of allies.

In these unprecedented times, we are all adjusting our schedules and modifying routines because of COVID-19. For us, that included cancelling all April SAAM scheduled in-person programming organized by our student organizations, faculty, staff, and off-campus partners. As we are adapting to social distancing, the Center for Prevention and Education (CPE) is moving forward with virtual programming for April. It is important to reiterate our commitment to survivors, advocates, allies, and the educational components of SAAM. We look forward to hosting online events, collaborations, engaging more with our community through social media, and shining a spotlight on others that were part of the SAAM planning for April 2020.

We hope you will join us on Instagram and Facebook to support our virtual 2020 SAAM efforts. Our SAAM 2020 webpage includes information on upcoming virtual programs, content you can share through social media, SAAM coloring pages, giveaways, and much more.

Finally, to share a little home away from home and as thank you in advance for supporting our vision, the grand prize giveaway for engaging with us on social media will be one University of Mary Washington diploma frame.  Please visit our SAAM 2020 webpage or Instagram profile for additional information.

Stay healthy, practice self-care, and reach out if you need support.

Marissa Miller
Center for Prevention and Education

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Marissa Miller: Stepping Up for Students

October 4, 2018 by

If you’ve ever emailed Marissa Miller and haven’t heard back in a snap, don’t take it personally.
Her two roles as associate coordinator in the Office of Student Conduct and coordinator for Prevention and Advocacy with the Office of Title IX keep her so busy chances are you’ve seen her speed-walking to her next destination on campus.

[Read more…]

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