Campus Life

'Cherry Wine' event explores dangers of substance abuse and sexual assault

Stand for State Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks will hold an educational event for students titled “Cherry Wine” at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium as part of the campus "Stand for State" program. The event will explore the dangers and consequences of alcohol and drug abuse and sexual assault, and provide information on resources available to victims.

During the event, students will act out scenarios involving substance abuse, and during freeze frames the expert panel will assess the situation. The panel will include experts representing the campus community and local organizations, including Carmen White of Safe Berks, and Steve Yeity of Cross Keys Insurance Company.

According to Autumn Fritz, assistant director of community development, the event was named for a song by singer-songwriter Hozier that deals with domestic violence, and proceeds from download of the release are donated by the artist to a series of international domestic abuse charities. 

Stand for State is part of a University-wide effort to combat sexual assaults. In February 2015, Penn State President Eric Barron endorsed the bystander intervention program as part of a University task force's 18 recommendations to fight sexual assault and sexual harassment on campus.

This event is coordinated by the Penn State Berks Criminal Justice Club. For additional information, contact Fritz at 610-396-6098 or via email at AMR40@psu.edu.

Last Updated September 13, 2017