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Health Educator To Discuss Title IX, HIV/AIDS
Nov. 12, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Health educator Elaine Pasqua will return to Sam Houston State University for the third time to discuss the impact of the 1972 Education Amendment Title IX, as well as share her experiences working with HIV and AIDS, in two presentations on Monday (Nov. 17).
Faculty and staff are invited to learn about some of the intricacies of Title IX during a lunchtime presentation, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.
Pasqua’s presentation will include the latest Title IX trends on college campuses and information on bystander intervention, being held in compliance with the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act under Title IX.
Title IX has been considered a powerful tool for combatting campus violence through the federal requirement that colleges and universities that receive federal funding must combat gender-based violence and harassment, and respond to survivors’ needs in order to ensure that all students have equal access to education, according to the Knowyourix.org website.
Ninety-seven thousand college students are sexually assaulted each year, 80 percent of whom said they knew their assailant. The majority of cases are alcohol induced.
The presentation, “An Unheard Voice,” will highlight the effects of alcohol on diminishing intuition, communication skills, and the inability to assess potentially dangerous situations.
“Many victims have confided and shared their personal stories with Elaine, providing a unique understanding of this devastating problem and insight into its long-term psychological effects,” said Lisa Clarkson, SHSU Student Health Center program coordinator. “A victim of a date rape drug herself, Elaine presents a personal perspective that others may not.
“Most importantly, she stresses respect,” Clarkson said. “She believes strongly in the value of integrity and doing the right thing, as she urges them to become part of the initiative for bystander intervention and shares specific strategies for intervention.”
RSVPs are requested to Clarkson by Friday (Nov. 14) at 3 p.m.
From 3-5 p.m., Pasqua will offer an entertaining, yet informative, discussion on the AIDS epidemic today, in the LSC Theater.
“Elaine will talk about HIV/AIDS with students and do an eye-opening demonstration about how easily HIV can be transmitted,” Clarkson said. “Most new HIV infections occur in individuals between the ages of 15-24 years of age, which of course, is the same age group that makes up most of our student body.”
Pasqua has discussed “Living and Loving in a World with AIDS” in the spring and fall 2013 semesters. Clarkson said she continues to bring Pasqua back to campus because of her ability to connect with SHSU’s students.
“She is both funny and down to earth, and this puts the students at ease and open to asking questions,” Clarkson said. “Elaine lost both her mother and stepfather to AIDS, so she can talk about how devastating the disease can be from a care-giver's perspective.”
Pasqua also has been nominated for "Best Speaker of the Year" by Campus Activities Magazine.
For more information on either of these events, or to RSVP for the Title IX presentation, contact Clarkson at 936.294.4347.
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