Join us as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) during a luncheon discussion featuring the former Director of RSVP, a former Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline Director, and a current UChicago peer educator. The panel will be moderated by the current Director of RSVP, Vickie R. Sides. Panelists will discuss how campus prevention work has changed over the last 25 years, politically, socially and institutionally. The discussion will provide a space to interrogate what has worked well and where challenges persist, with an eye to the relative merits and challenges of having institutionalized anti-violence programs on campus, specifically prevention programs. 

Lunch: 11:30AM

Panel Discussion: 12:00PM

Space is limited; please RSVP to vsides@uchicago.edu by May 15, 2018 to confirm your reservation.

Rahul Sharma, Psy.D.: Associate Professor & Diversity Concentration Coordinator, Illinois School of Professional Psychology; founder & bassist/sitarist, Funkadesi

Former RSVP Director

Dr. Rahul Sharma received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1998, specializing in multicultural psychology. He is former Director of the University of Chicago’s Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention, initially reporting to then Associate Dean Michelle Obama. He won an award from the Vagina Monologues’ V-Day Celebration for his commitment to address sexism and violence against women. Dr. Sharma is currently Associate Professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP) at Argosy University, Chicago and Chair of its Diversity Concentration. In addition, Dr. Sharma is also founder and bassist/sitarist for the intercultural award-winning music group Funkadesi, a diverse ensemble comprised of musicians, activists, educators, and healers.  Dr. Sharma has used music as a vehicle for community-building, self-understanding, crosscultural communication, and social justice principles.

Dr. Sheila Yarbrough: Associate faculty and department chair, Argosy University

Former Associate Dean for Student Affairs/Supervisor

Dr. Sheila Yarbrough has been working in progressively advancing roles in institutions of higher education for the past 20 years, including The University of Chicago, where she oversaw a key period of the growth and development of Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention. Recognized by students as passionate and personable, she has been successful in fostering student academic success across disciplines by delivering quality classroom and online instruction through creative student engagement. Dr. Yarbrough is considered a transformational leader with experience managing a diverse and multicultural workforce and providing faculty development.  She has excellent interpersonal skills with a history of cultivating and maintaining collaborative teams and partnerships with college administrators, staff, faculty and key stakeholders.  

Rachel Caidor: Director, Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline

RSVP Trainer

Rachel Caidor has spent most of her career working to address violence against women. She has worked as a rape crisis counselor, Coordinator of the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline, and was an Assistant Director at UIC’s Women’s Leadership and Resource Center / Campus Advocacy Network. She is now the Director of Illinois’ Domestic Violence Hotline. Caidor is a founding member of Chicago’s chapter of Incite! Women of Color Against Violence and helped organize the both Color of Violence Conferences held in Chicago. She has co-curated several educational exhibits including No Selves to Defend, which shone a light of how the state criminalizes Black women who defend themselves against rape and domestic violence.
Caidor is a member of Love & Protect, which supports those who identify as women and gender non-conforming persons of color who are criminalized or harmed by state and interpersonal violence. 

Kelsey Schmitt: Peer Educator Coordinator, Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP)

Peer Educator and Student Staff

Kelsey Schmitt is a fouth year undergraduate at the University of Chicago. She has been a peer educator at RSVP for three years. Additionally, she serves as a member of student government’s sexual assault awareness and prevention committee and volunteers as a victim advocate at the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.

This event is co-sponsored by the International House Global Voices Program, Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention, the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, the Center for Identity + Inclusion, the Office for Sexual Misconduct Support and Resources, and Health Promotion and Wellness.

Space is limited; please RSVP to vsides@uchicago.edu by May 15, 2018 to confirm your reservation.