Empowering Voices: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Around Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking 

Join us at Marywood University on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 for this day-long event.

This year’s conference promises in-depth discussion and training regarding the intersection of medical care and support for survivors. Keeping education at the forefront, the Medical Advocacy Conference is seeking Continuing Education Units for EMS, social workers, Act 48 professionals, medical providers, and nurses. Certificate of attendance can be provided via email for other professionals wishing to independently file for CEUs. Discussion topics will include:

• Substance Use and Domestic Violence
• Working with Sexual Assault Survivors
• Community Health Workers Using a Trauma-Informed Approach During Stalking Situations
• Unseen. Unheard. Unhelped. Males Surviving Abuse
• Preventing and Mitigating Burnout in Medical Professionals

Registration for the April 9 conference is NOW OPEN! 

The cost of registration is $25, including CEUs and a catered lunch. Students and EMS providers are FREE.

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REGISTER HERE.

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*Pre-registration is not required but highly recommended*

The theme, “Practice, Partnerships & Prevention: Empowering Voices: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Around Domestic Violence (DV), Sexual Assault (SA) & Human Trafficking (HT),” was developed through consultations with key stakeholders in our local medical community, an analysis of emerging trends at both state and national levels, and through collaboration with other DV/SA agencies across Pennsylvania. To address these challenges confronting our region and consistent with best practices, the conference goal is to help educate our healthcare professionals about the impact of victimization on health equity and equip them with tools to integrate this understanding into their professional practice.

Funding for this project was made possible thanks to generous community sponsors including Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), Wayne Memorial Hospital, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers, AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania, and the Addiction Treatment Program at Endless Mountains Health Systems. Additional help from benevolent community partners, including Emergency Medical Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Maternal & Family Health Services, United Neighborhood Centers, Endless Mountains Health Systems, Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA, and Northeast PA Area Health Education Center.

WRC and VIP are non-profit organizations dedicated to helping survivors of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and more. They each offer comprehensive services including a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safe housing, counseling and community education to name a few. Learn more at www.wrcnepa.org and vipempowers.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram.