The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the virtual training, “Rape Culture: A Survivor’s Perspective.” This training is being offered in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.
Brittany Piper was 20 years old when she was brutally raped by a man pretending to be a good Samaritan. As a survivor and women’s studies scholar with extensive work in local and international organizations (including Rape Crisis Centers in conflict countries), she uses her unique perspective as a survivor and as a sexual violence expert to compassionately welcome audiences into the conversation — allowing an inclusive culture for all voices, and a deeper understanding of this pervasive issue. This presentation will discuss consent, rape culture and rape myths, safe and effective ways to directly or indirectly intervene as an active bystander, empathy-based prevention and response, community responsibility, the forensic neurobiology of trauma, tonic immobility, supporting survivors in their recoveries, and the healing process for survivors. Her powerful story, blended with compelling research, interactive elements, and a non-judgmental and healthy dialogue about sexual violence, grants the space to uproot and challenge the toxic cultures that keep sexual violence prevalent. Audiences leave feeling empowered to be not only a part of the conversation, but also a part of the solution.
As a result of this training, attendees will be able to:
Explain the neurobiology of trauma in relation to sexual assault.
Identify strategies to address the community’s involvement in rape culture through such concepts as victim-blaming, rape myths, and more.
Describe the physical, mental, and emotional impacts that sexual violence can have on an individual.
Brittany Piper is an international recovery expert speaker and healing coach who has cultivated over 400 programs spanning ten years and three continents. Her work has been recognized by the United States Army, the Laura Bush Institute of Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, and more. She is a rape survivor and leading national educator and advocate for sexual violence prevention and recovery, speaking to tens of thousands of audience members each year. She is also a forensic neurobiology expert and conducts dozens of trauma-informed training programs with the United States Army and Sex Crimes Detectives annually.
No credits are being offered for this training. A certificate of attendance will be provided to participants.
This training is free for victim-serving professionals. Participants need to register in advance for the training. Click here to register.