Transitioning Times

Although I am constantly reminded about how much the community supports the work that we do, the allies who agreed to take on acting roles in the  Mock Trial made me believe that we may be able to change the rape culture that exists in our society.  On Tuesday, April 18, I walked into Courtroom 1 of the Northumberland County Courthouse and was pleasantly surprised by a full courtroom.  The Mock Trial in a case named U.S. v Michael Davis focused on a college relationship in which a young woman alleged that she was raped.  It was a complicated case, as most sexual assault cases are.  There were no witnesses to what took place and alcohol was involved.  The victim, who had been drinking, had not given her consent to have sex but the defendant proceeded, even after she had said “no.”  The jury, comprised of volunteers from the audience, found the defendant, a college-age man, guilty of the lesser charge of misdemeanor sexual assault.  Two years ago, ...

On April 18, 2017, Transitions hosted a mock sexual assault trial at the Northumberland County Courthouse. It was well-attended, with a full courtroom of approximately 100 people. This was a public event and invitations were distributed widely to high schools and colleges in the area as well as community organizations. The mock trial was created by the DC Street Law Clinic through Georgetown University . Actors were provided with statements given by their characters but otherwise improvised during the trial. The two attorneys spent the most time preparing for the trial. There was only one rehearsal prior to the event.  This mock trial was created in 2009, but the issues it raises continue to be relevant. College students are at a higher risk of being victimized; statistics state 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college. There has been a lot of discussion in the past few years about sexual violence on college campuses, including from then- Pres...

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  This year, we are hosting a mock trial at the Union County Courthouse on April 15 th at 6:30 p.m.  Whenever there is a scandal surrounding sexual assault, many people ask how this could have happened in our community.  Including many people from the criminal justice system, including President Judge Michael Hudock, Judge Michael Sholley, District Attorney Michael Piecuch, Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Crossland, North Penn Legal Services Managing Attorney Peter Macky and a representative from the Buffalo Valley Regional Police, showcases how Union and Snyder Counties are working together  to stop sexual assault.   Mock trials have been used throughout the country for this same purpose.  Colleges , military bases , and communities have all used mock trials to raise awareness about sexual assault.  For me, this mock trial serves two purposes.  The first is to show victim/survivors that o...