A forum on child sexual abuse will be held at Hendricks Chapel at 4 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the effects of child sexual abuse, the barriers causing silence, bystanders, how to report suspicions, local advocacy services and the legal process.

Thomas Wolfe, Syracuse University’s senior vice president and dean of student affairs, will moderate the forum, which is co-sponsored by University Senate’s Women’s Concerns Committee, Hendricks and the Advocacy Center at SU.

The forum will feature numerous people with direct influence and knowledge on the topic of child sexual abuse, according to a Feb. 1 SU News release. The speakers include Julie Cecile, executive director of the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center; Bryan Lendy, detective sergeant at the Syracuse Police Department; and Ellen Ford, clinical director at the Vera House.

Other speakers include Allison Young, director of abuse services and family transition services with Elmcrest Children’s Center and professional counselor at NuStep Professional Counseling Services; and Janet Epstein, director of the Advocacy Center.

Advocacy Center volunteers Sam Myers and Eric McGriff, a junior and freshman, respectively, will also sit on the panel, according to the release.

Panelist David Hubert will also tell a personal survival story of child sexual abuse, according to the release.

Child sexual abuse is a difficult issue to talk about, but it affects many people, Wolfe said. While the recent scandals involving Bernie Fine and Jerry Sandusky have heightened awareness, the issue of child sexual abuse transcends those specific instances, he said.

The panel will begin with opening remarks from Wolfe, followed by speeches from each of the panelists. After the final remarks, the forum will open for questions from the audience.

The goals of the forum are to inform SU and the community about child sexual abuse, explore services, educate about prevention on and off campus and discuss how to heal survivors of child sexual abuse, according to the release.

Janet Epstein said she believes the forum will be the first of many opportunities for the community and campus to have conversations and learn more about the issue to support those affected, according to the release.

The forum is free and open to the public and all of the SU campus. Representatives from a number of university organizations and offices will be in attendance to answer questions.

Said Wolfe: ‘I really hope this forum can bring about change and ultimately promote healing.’

jbundy@syr.edu 

Published on February 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu