District Attorney to Hold Symposium on the Topic of Campus Sexual Assault
Event hosted by SCU, and focused on awareness and solutions, being held Nov. 18.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2016 --Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen – joined by leaders and representatives of the major county colleges and universities – will convene a groundbreaking public conference on campus sexual assaults later this month.
The day-long, invitation-only symposium will be held at Santa Clara University's Locatalli on Friday, Nov. 18. The conference is intended to raise national awareness about campus sexual assaults and to share solutions about how to protect students and survivors. DA Rosen will oversee a joint signing of a memorandum of understanding, aimed at fostering close cooperation between schools and public safety agencies.
Special guest speakers include Harvard Law School sex assault survivor Kamilah Willingham, activist Kevin Powell, actress and activist Sharon Stone, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, and TV anchor Ashleigh Banfield. The invitation-only symposium will be live-streamed for the public. The media is encouraged to attend.
“At this gathering and as a community, we are determined to speak out against campus sexual assault with one strong voice.” DA Rosen said. “We will make campuses even safer and sex assaults even fewer. "We will hold rapists accountable and serve survivors with the utmost dignity and care.”
The symposium will address topics such as the culture of rape and best campus safety measures. Willingham will tell her survivor’s story. Banfield will moderate a panel discussion. Actress Stone will read excerpts from the victim in the Brock Turner case's historic letter.
“Protecting our students from sexual assault is a top priority for every university in America today,” said Santa Clara University President Michael Engh, S.J. “We are pleased to host this important symposium. "We welcome the top minds in law and academia to discuss best practices for keeping our students safe.”
Details about the day's events can be found at www.scu.edu/onevoice, which will also feature a a livestream of the event.
Media Contact
Terry Harman | Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney | (408) 792-2826
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