VCU Department of Sociology announces new certificate program

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Sociology is enrolling students in a new post-baccalaureate certificate program that provides training in the intervention of sexual and gender-based violence.

The Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention will focus on any sexual and domestic violation against people due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. This includes dating violence, sexual assault and hate-based violence against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

VCU’s Sarah Jane Brubaker, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology and director of the center, said the program is geared to provide additional training to a variety of people who advocate on behalf of the victims of gender violence.

“We believe that more people need training in this area and, more specifically, that individuals who work with survivors of violence often lack an understanding of some of the social, cultural and political factors that influence gender violence,” said Brubaker.

The certificate program requires a bachelor's degree and is based on an 18-hour curriculum.

The center is a collaborative effort between faculty from the Department of Sociology and community advocates working in the area of sexual and domestic violence as well as other departments and programs at VCU, including the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, the School of Social Work, Women’s Studies, Community Health and Preventive Medicine and the VCU Institute for Women's Health.

More information on the program is available at www.has.vcu.edu/soc/cgvi/.