In February 2019, Alison Berk joined Arcadia as the first coordinator of the University’s Office of Sexual and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Education, which was established through the University’s receipt of a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. The goal of the grant and the office is to provide resources, information, and referrals to campus community members who have been impacted by sexual or gender-based violence, and to examine campus policies, procedures, and programming related to addressing and preventing sexual- and gender-based violence. This is accomplished by focusing on four topic areas: student conduct, comprehensive prevention programming, public/safety/law enforcement, and victim services. 

The Office of Sexual and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Education also supervises Arcadia’s first peer education programming focusing on sexual and mental health and well-being, as well as sexual and gender-based violence prevention; develops professional training for staff and student groups; and general comprehensive prevention programming throughout the year. 

If you would like more information on the Office or any of its programs or resources, or would like to become more involved in preventing sexual and gender-based violence at Arcadia, contact Alison Berk at berka@arcadia.edu.