As fall gets into swing, we are preparing for many changes in the higher education community. Higher education institutions are currently implementing the requirements of Maryland’s Fair Process state law, at the same time that proposed Title IX regulations threaten to drastically alter students’ rights and the university’s responsibilities under federal law. We are hopeful that the Fair Process law offsets whatever erosion of federal rights may occur. As these changes are underway, the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s college program remains important resource for schools, colleges and universities and service providers that work with student survivors of sexual violence.
By joining MCASA through a College Consortium membership, colleges and MCASA can work together to continue our work to end sexual assault on campus. This institutional-level membership supports the work of MCASA to end sexual violence in Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal service. College Consortium member schools are listed on the MCASA website and their staff receive a discounted or free registration to all MCASA’s conferences.
MCASA’s College Program, with dedicated legal and policy staff, is here to provide technical assistance on how to help survivors and their rights under state and federal law. We also offer resources dedicated to the prevention of, and response to, sexual violence. This academic year, we will offer six, day-long Regional Campus Trainings (RCT) throughout the state, which are free and open to the public. On October 17, 2019 we will host one training at Frostburg University and on November 6, 2019 another at Chesapeake College. Participants can register for trainings through the MCASA website. Stay tuned for information on our Spring schedule; dates and locations will be announced later this year.
This edition of Frontline features valuable information on preventing sexual assault on college campuses, a review of online training, and a look into the challenges of incarcerated survivors. Two of MCASAs staff review the new online Prevention Education Boot Camp from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the National Sexual Assault Resource Center (NSVRC) in our Safety Sync column. This Frontline also includes two great reprints; in our Prevention Corner we share an article about connecting anti-oppression efforts to sexual violence prevention from Mo Lewis at the NSVRC and in College Consortium we share an article from The One Love Foundation describing three ways everyone can prevent campus sexual violence. Our Prison Rape Elimination Act coordinator shares an article on the challenges faced by inmates who are deaf or hearing impaired in our feature on Underserved Populations. Finally, the Program Spotlight highlights the fantastic work of our member organization Hearty House, Inc. - the Rape Crisis and Recovery Center serving Frederick County.
MCASA is looking forward to participating once again in the Maryland Charity Campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign. If your employer supports MCC or FCC please consider supporting MCASA through these campaigns. Workplace giving helps us to reach our goal of ending sexual violence in Maryland. Other ways of supporting MCASA can be found on our website by clicking here. Please help us in our efforts to support survivors in Maryland.
Stay strong,
Lisae
Lisae Jordan, Esq.
Executive Director & Counsel
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
