Crime Victims' Center Hosting Community Meeting

On June 19, 2012, the Chester County Health Department (CCHD)  and the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC),  will host Planning for a Safer Chester County,  an organizational meeting of community members and agencies interested in developing a plan for the prevention of, and education on, sexual violence in Chester County.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Government Services Center, Room 171
601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19380
Please RSVP by June 5, 2012  

The meeting will include a keynote address from Liz Zadnik, from Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, with discussion based on data available on sexually violent acts in the County and breakout activity focused on engaging participants on how to be a part of the solution to end sexual violence.

“The impact of sexual violence goes far beyond the issues of safety. Sexual victimization correlates with problems throughout the life span,” said Peggy Gusz, Executive Director of the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County. “Its impact, devastating as it can be, extends beyond an individual victim and sexual violence impacts entire communities. It is essential that the community, at every level, comes together to address this issue - to the point of challenging current norms and creating a climate of positive change.” 

Margaret Rivello, Director of the Chester County Health Department added, “Sexual victimization can also impact educational achievements, personal and family physical and emotional health, and employment.
           
“There are multiple facets of an individual’s wellness that is impacted and we need to focus on preventing this type of violence from ever occurring.”
 
The meeting is open to any agency or individual with a vested interest in preventing sexual violence in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  For more information, call 610-692-1926, or visit www.cvcofcc.org.