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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

CIL-NET & SILC-NET Present… A National Teleconference & Webinar: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in CILs

April 25, 2018; 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Register online or by using the printable registration form (PDF)

Sexual violence and sexual harassment in the workplace has been in the spotlight recently and it’s about time. Independent Living advocates know all too well the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment experienced by people with disabilities. As employers and administrators and service providers, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) have a responsibility to create environments that respond sensitively and safely. Our staff, board, council members, volunteers, and consumers all benefit when sexual violence and sexual harassment is addressed. Policies and procedures within CILs and SILCs should give guidance and structure in order to create responsive facilities, programs, and activities.

IL-NET Logo - CIL-NET + SILC-NETJoin us this April – Sexual Assault Awareness Month – to learn how you can support victims of violence and work to prevent sexual harassment in your organization. Learn the steps for creating an environment where sexual violence and harassment is addressed sensitively and effectively using a trauma informed approach. Sample policies and procedures that offer guidance will be discussed. Our presenters will share their work as sexual assault advocates and discuss these issues specifically within CILs and SILCs. We all have a role to play in creating a culture where sexual violence is addressed and sexual harassment is not tolerated. Don’t miss this crucial presentation. 

Registration Fee: $75.00. Fee is per site (connection) and does not apply per participant; registrants are encouraged to gather as many individuals as desired to participate by telephone.

Target Audience: Executive directors, program managers, independent living specialists, and other staff of Centers for Independent Living

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will have knowledge and resources that will enable them to:

  • Define sexual violence and harassment.
  • Identify physical and behavioral indicators of sexual violence
  • Understand the key Federal laws that are or may be related to these topics
  • Recognize the elements of and the role of effective policies, procedures, and education for center staff to create a safe environment for employees and consumers.
  • Identify steps to create a culture that supports victims of violence with a trauma informed approach and that prevents or addresses harassment.
  • Know the resources for obtaining more information.

Meet Your Presenters

Jan Derry has been the Executive Director of Northwest Virginia CIL (NWVCIL) since the organization began in 1993 and now serves as Co-Chair of the NCIL Violence and Abuse Subcommittee. During the past 10 years, NWVCIL has partnered with the WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services, and was a 2006 DOJ Office of Violence Against Women Grant recipient to improve access to sexual assault services for victims with disabilities. An outcome of this project is the WV S.A.F.E Cross Training Toolkit and a lasting commitment to ensure welcoming and inclusive violence response systems in WV. She has provided training on sexual violence and people with disabilities to first responders, sexual assault service providers, sexual assault response teams, adult protective service workers, and disability service providers, and has assisted in writing the county’s response protocol. Her goal is to provide technical assistance to the crime victims response system, building competency within that system to better respond to survivors with disabilities. In 2011, Jan was awarded the Visionary Voice Award by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Roberta Sick served as Co-Chair of the NCIL Violence and Abuse Subcommittee from its inception in 2006 until 2017. She is employed by Partners for Inclusive Communities, University of Arkansas and is the Project Director for its “Initiatives on Access and Justice.” She has been involved in the violence prevention and intervention field since 1998 and provides direct services to victims with disabilities through co-advocacy with domestic violence, sexual assault, and law enforcement-based victim advocates. She has been involved in training efforts both in the state and nationally, addressing the critical issues of preventing violence in the lives of people with disabilities and providing access to victims’ services. She is a licensed professional counselor.

Presented by CIL-NET and SILC-NET: Programs of the IL-NET national training and technical assistance project for Centers for Independent Living (CIL-NET) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC-NET). The IL-NET is operated by Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU), in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), and Utah State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities.