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The Office for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention & Education
The Office of Sexual Violence Prevention was created as part of a grant received by Arcadia University from the Department of Justice in 2018. The Office exists to streamline sexual violence prevention efforts on campus, serve as a resource for campus community members who are survivors of sexual violence, and provide training and education those individuals involved in the sexual violence response process at Arcadia University and the campus at-large. While we are not a confidential reporting entity on campus, we can provide information on campus resources, including those that are confidential.
What We Do
- Coordinate and oversee sexual violence prevention efforts on campus
- Ensure appropriate training for all sexual misconduct hearing officials
- Partnered with Cheltenham Police Department, ensure appropriate training regarding sexual violence for all campus safety personnel
- Victim Services of Montgomery County, ensure survivors of sexual violence receive appropriate care and advocacy
- Coordinate a campus wide Community Response Team to ensure all efforts to meet core objectives are properly supported, effective and efficient
Alison Berk
Coordinator of Sexual Violence Prevention & Education
6 Royal Road, 3rd Floor
(267) 620-4853
berka@arcadia.edu
Become a Good Knight
Benefits of Becoming a Good Knight
- National Peer Facilitator Certification through Student Affairs Professional in Higher Education
- Develop leadership, group facilitation and conflict management skills
- Letter of recommendation
- Increase your knowledge of mental health and sexual violence
- Increase your knowledge and experience in community organizations, education and programming
Peer Educator Class of Fall 2020 is now OPEN
Peer educator cohorts are recruited in the Spring for Fall training. If you are interested in applying, please take a look at the peer educator position description and application.
Nominate a Student to Become a Good Knight
Please email Alison Berk at berka@arcadia.edu with the names of students you would like to nominate to apply for a position as a peer educator. If you know it, include their email address. In addition, please indicate if it is alright if we notify the student that they were nominated by you.
Coordinated Community Response Team
The Arcadia University Coordinated Community Response Team is a multi-disciplinary team of both Arcadia community members and outside agencies. The team is tasked with overseeing the work of the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education. The members of this team each serve on a subcommittee (Public Safety/Law Enforcement, Comprehensive Prevention, Victim Services, or Student Conduct). Sub-committees meet once per month and the CCRT at-large meets once per semester. Should you wish to learn more about joining the CCRT, please contact Alison Berk at berka@arcadia.edu.
Rights, Resources and Reporting Options
One of the functions of the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention & Education is to assist individuals in identifying what resource might be right for them. We are not a confidential resource, but can provide information on how to report to the institution or to law enforcement, connect individuals to counseling and advocacy services prior to reporting, during the reporting process, after reporting or without reporting at all, and how to get involved in prevention efforts.
The ONLY confidential resources on campus are Counseling Services and Student Health Services. Please understand that all other campus employees are mandated reporters and have an obligation to report certain incidents to the Arcadia University Title IX Office. Should you have questions about your mandated reporting obligations, please contact Nora Nelle, Title IX Coordinator at nellen@arcadia.edu.
Title IX Office
(215) 517- 2659
6 Royal Road, 3rd Floor
nellen@arcadia.edu
- Serves as centralized reporting office for all sexual misconduct allegations made to the University
- Provides accommodations for survivors of sexual violence (e.g. housing, academic, etc.)
Counseling Services
(215) 572- 2967
Heinz Hall, Ground Floor
- Provides confidential counseling services
- Provides consultation, educational programs and outreach to the larger campus community
Student Health Services
(215) 572- 2966
Heinz Hall, Ground Floor
- Provides ambulatory medical services to students
- Employs two certified Nurse Practitioners
Care includes:
- Acute sick visits
- Women's health visits
- STD testing
- Prescription renewal (except psychiatric medications)
Victim Services of Montgomery County
(610) 277-0932
325 Swede St., 2nd Floor Norristown, PA
Counseling services include:
- Individual counseling
- Crisis counseling
- Support groups
Advocacy services include:
- Hospital/court/police accompaniment
- Assistance with victim impact statements
- Assistance with victim's compensation claims
- Assistance with crime victims notification