9th Annual GDS Summit on Sexual Assault & Consent

Cohorts are mixed groups of educators, students, and community partners. Cohorts are moderated by GDS student organizers. If you are not already in a cohort, please add yourself to any open slot.

Many of us received education around consent that focused simply on understanding yes vs. no. This model fails to account for the influence that systems of power, privilege, and oppression have in shaping what we want, what we like, and how we communicate. In this session, we will dive into this critical aspect of consent education and reflect on how we could develop more effective sex education.

Join Melanie as she shares her journey as a survivor navigating the Child Advocacy Center and court process, using personal photos and reflections to illustrate her experience. She will discuss how asking for help, receiving support, and transforming her pain into purpose led her to become an advocate. Participants will gain insights into the hope and healing she has found through hard work, faith, and the support of fellow survivors and providers. Leave inspired and empowered with a tangible survivor story that encourages both personal growth and advocacy for victims of crime.

Join survivor and advocate Melanie Barton as she shares her journey from trauma to loving and being loved to help you understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Through an interactive exercise, you'll learn to identify relationships grounded in safety and respect versus those that aren't. Melanie will provide practical tips to empower you to set and maintain relationship standards that heal rather than hurt. You’ll leave with key terms, effective strategies, and the confidence to build strong, healthy relationships.