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  • Lecture

Protest & Progress: Penn's History of Responding to Sexual Violence

Learn about Penn's history of responding to sexual violence and how current students can help create a safe environment and counteract rape culture.

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November 17, 2026, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th Floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
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Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Hosted by: Kislak Center

Penn Women's Center

Join us for a panel of speakers who will discuss Penn's history of responding to sexual violence and how current students can help create a safe environment and counteract rape culture. Featured speakers include Carol Tracy (Former Executive Director at Women's Law Project and leading expert on sexual and domestic violence against women) and Jessica Mertz (Head of Regional Strategy and Partnerships for Girl Scouts and expert on violence prevention, interpersonal violence, sexual harassment, and gender equity). 

Discussants will emphasize the important progress that has been made at Penn in the last decades, including the creation of Penn Women's Center, Special Services, and Penn Violence Prevention. They will also address the continued severity of this sexual and gender based violence on college campuses, and discuss what more needs to be done. Participants will learn about resources at Penn, including information from the Penn Women's Center and Penn Violence Prevention. 

This event is held in partnership with the Penn Women's Center, SNF Paideia Program, Penn's Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention, and is a part of programming for To Secure these Rights: 150 Years of Women at Penn, an exhibit honoring the 150th anniversary of women students and how they have challenged stereotypes, demanded justice, and transformed the University of Pennsylvania.

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