Local affiliates of the American Associate of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, League of Women Voters and the Stanislaus county initiated a panel discussion titled “Ending the Culture of Violence on School and College Campuses” in Modesto, CA on March 19.
Arlene Jones, AAUW Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch member and event coordinator, invited the following six members of Stanislaus County to sit on the panel: Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson, Stanislaus County Office of Education Superintendent Tom Changnon, University of the Pacific Vice-President for Student Life Patrick Day, Oakdale Police Chief Lester Jenkins, Family Justice Center Executive Director Tom Ciccarelli and Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director Dr. Madelyn Schlaepfer.
The topics addressed by the panel were the impact of crime, high school dropouts, sexual assault, substance abuse, breakdown of the family unit and mental health.
“It’s impossible for us to be successful without your help,” Christianson said. “The more we can do to keep our young people focused on a life of education and success as opposed to a life of gangs and methamphetamine, we’re ahead in the community.”
California State University, Stanislaus also had a booth at the event in order to educate others of the university’s “STOP ABUSE” campaign. Ranell Smith (junior, Criminal Justice) and Steve Silva (senior, Psychology) handed out flyers and other small items letting attendees know that they could find more information about the campaign at www.csustan.edu/STOPABUSE.
Sexual assault is a topic of concern that has addressed at schools and colleges throughout Stanislaus County.
Jones is a grandmother and retired school teacher who’s granddaughter was about to attend college. Along with her joy and excitement, Jones was also concerned. These feelings inspired her to coordinate this panel discussion in order to evoke change.
“We can’t afford another catastrophic event to arouse the short-lived anger we see each time students on our campuses are assaulted,” said Arlene Jones, AAUW Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch member, said in the event press release.
Follow-up events are in the process of being formed and hope to be executed within this year, for more information about the possible upcoming events you can go to www.aauw-ca.org. Check back at csusignal.com for more information on
Check back at csusignal.com as we will bring you more information and coverage on this event.