Morris County Prosecutor and Attorney General 2121 Presentation: Addressing & Preventing Campus Sexual Violence

Published on October 23, 2019

October 23, 2019

On October 21, 2019, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Deputy Attorney General Bryn Whittle, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator Alexis Rachel, Drew University Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs Frank Merckx and other members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office conducted a community forum at the Drew University Learning Center intended to educate students about sexual and relationship violence. Held in conjunction with the Morris County Coalition for Campus Sexual & Relationship Violence, the forum is a part of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General's Community Policing Project.

Presenters Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator Alexis Rachel covered the topics of sexual and relationship violence, the laws in New Jersey pertaining to sexual and relationship violence, reporting options for incidents both on and off campus, and general background information about sexual and relationship violence, such as effective consent. The 24/7 SART hotline, (973) 829-0587, can connect victims to a forensic nurse examiner, a confidential sexual violence advocate (CSVA) and if they choose, a law enforcement officer.

Frank Merckx, Drew University Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs and Dean of Students, also spoke about Drew University's policies on sexual and relationship violence and the role of Title IX, the education amendment focused on sex and gender equity.

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said, The Morris County Prosecutor's Office has a substantial Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and we have dedicated resources to provide for the needs of victims of sex-related offenses. We prosecute these cases rigorously and are always most concerned with the rights of victims.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.

Left to Right: Deputy Attorney General Bryn Whittle, County College of Morris Title IX Compliance Officer Dawn Latincsics, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator Alexis Rachel, Fairleigh Dickinson University Associate Dean of Students Sandra Gilot-West, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez, Drew University Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs Frank Merckx, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and Det. Supv. Patrick LaGuerre.

Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp