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Bowie State Hosts Mini-Conference Series for Preventing Sexual Violence

(Bowie, Md.) - As part of a national effort of to increase awareness and prevention of sexual assault on college campuses, Bowie State University has partnered with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) to host the 2011-2012 Preventing Sexual Violence on College Campuses Mini Conference Series.  The events are free and will be held on the campuses of Bowie State and UMCP between October 2011 and April 2012. 

The first conference, set for Oct. 5 at UMCP, will examine the role of the Title IX coordinator on campus as the point of contact receiving complaints of sexual assault. Title IX is a law passed in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault) in any education program or activity that receives federal funding.

"The mini-conference series is intended to speak to the issues of sexual violence that are not only taking place within the campus community but also the communities outside the university," said Simpdy Merelan, Sexual Assault Program coordinator at Bowie State University., "We hope this series of events will bring the communities together to help raise awareness and prevention of such issues."

Local service providers, college students, and administrators and faculty from area universities are invited to attend the series that will provide ongoing educational opportunities regarding prevention efforts, trends and victim services. Networking opportunities to increase information sharing and collaboration will also be provided.

Conference sessions will examine a range of topics including:

• Performing a Critical Analysis of Your Campus Sexual Assault Policy
• Implementing a Sexual Violence Prevention Campaign on Campus
• Creating and Implementing a Successful Sexual Violence Advocacy Program

The mini conference series is supported by the Department of Justice: Office on Violence Against Women.

To register and receive more information on the conference, visit www.mcasa.org. Registration is restricted to Maryland and Washington, D.C., based organizations.

Brandon Yancey, a Bowie State University graduate student majoring in communication was a contributing writer for this press release.

ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds who seek a higher quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The University places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit the website at http://www.bowiestate.edu/.

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