Delaware State University hosted its fifth Annual Sexual Assault Prevention Conference on April 17, bringing together students, faculty, and community members for a day focused on the theme “Your Voice, Your Safety: Empowering Students Against Dating & Domestic Violence.” The event took place in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center Parlors and centered on raising awareness about sexual assault, dating violence, and domestic violence.
The conference aimed to equip students with resources to understand trauma, recognize unhealthy patterns in relationships, and support themselves and others. Hip-hop pioneer Roxanne Shanté delivered the keynote address by sharing her personal experiences. “Behind the scenes is really what’s most important,” Shanté said. “You don’t want to survive life. You want to live it.” She urged attendees to look beyond appearances in relationships and highlighted the importance of self-esteem. “Your number one fan should always be you,” she said.
Tamara Thomas, therapist and CEO of Transpire Wellness, led an interactive session on how trauma can affect mental health over time. “I share from personal knowledge, and I’m inviting you into an experience today,” Thomas said. She discussed how unresolved trauma can shape behavior and decision-making long after incidents occur. “Until you deal with it, it’s not going anywhere,” she said. Thomas encouraged openness: “Sometimes sharing our story is the only way that people will understand and learn to trust.”
Dr. Reginald Moore spoke about healthy relationships and community support during his presentation at the event. He told attendees: “Healthy relationships do not survive on feelings alone… They are strengthened by community, guided by communication, and sustained by commitment.” Moore also addressed isolation as a risk factor for abuse: “A lot of abuse happens in isolation,” he said.
The conference included opportunities for students to connect with campus services such as Delaware State University’s Master of Social Work program as well as local wellness organizations.
Delaware State University operates as a public institution with land-grant status under federal and state legislation according to its official website. The university focuses on providing affordable education while promoting high ideals through dedicated support according to its official website. It enhances student opportunities through private funds managed by the DSU Foundation according to its official website, welcomes a diverse student body while preserving its heritage as a historically Black institution according to its official website, features advanced research facilities including neuroscience centers according to its official website, and maintains more than 50 buildings across four colleges on a 356-acre campus according to its official website.
Now marking five years since inception, organizers say this annual conference continues fostering dialogue around safety issues while reinforcing Delaware State University’s commitment toward supporting students.
