CCFWG and CVCCC Recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month with
Eye-Opening Film Screening and Discussion of The Hunting Ground
Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County and Colonial Theatre welcomed 64 community members for a free documentary film screening and panel discussion of The Hunting Ground on Wednesday, April 18, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The documentary explored the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, current lack of accountability for perpetrators and universities, and the persistent need to provide resources and broad-based support for victims of sexual assault and violence.
Our panel of local experts spoke on the importance of bystander training and intervention for community members, fellow students and college faculty, as well as the need to increase accountability for perpetrators and those in power and to create “communities of protection rather than communities of risk.”
Panelists, from left to right: Stephanie Morris, Esquire, staff attorney at the Office of Domestic Relations in Chester County and board member at the CVCCC; Christine Doyle, counselor and assistant professor at Delaware County Community College; Joe Myers, community outreach supervisor at CVCCC; and Lynn Klingensmith, director of social equity/Title IX at West Chester University. Discussion was moderated by CCFWG Executive Director Michelle Legaspi Sánchez (far right).
The audience was particularly engaged during the Q&A period with panelists, raising questions about how to best educate current and prospective college students on potential risks, what parents can do to support their children and what questions to ask of colleges and universities on campus visits to ensure there is strong institutional support for students impacted by sexual violence.
“During the film I could hear audience members reacting to the stories and statistics they were hearing. This was also apparent during the panel discussion as some voiced frustration with university policies and procedures that were depicted, as well as heartbreak for survivors of sexual assault. It was great that so many community members came out to watch the film and engage in meaningful discussion afterwards. These types of collaborations work toward making a difference in the Chester County community, and we are very grateful to CCFWG and The Colonial Theater for their partnership and support,” said Christine Zaccarelli, Esquire, CEO of the CVCCC.
For local resources for victims of sexual assault, please reach out to the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. at any time through their 24-hour monitored hotline at 610-692-7273. For nationwide statistics and resources about sexual assault on college campuses, visit www.clerycenter.org.