Penn Violence Prevention Programs began in 2009 when Penn received a grant from the Department of Justice to address issues of dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus. 

Our goal is to not only ensure students have access to effective and safe resources on campus, but to provide preventative education focused on building healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs of abuse, reaching out to friends in need, and taking a united stand against violence. PVP works with various student groups including One in Four (a male peer group that does sexual violence education programs) and PCUW (the Penn Consortium of Undergraduate Women). We encourage students to act as active and engaged bystanders by speaking up about dangerous situations and abusive relationships.

Violence Prevention Educator: The Violence Prevention Educator is located at the Penn Women’s Center and is available to provide resources, referrals, support, and information regarding dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. She is also able to organize/host programs and workshops for student groups and organizations. Find more information under the “ongoing events” section.

Penn Violence Prevention Committee: This volunteer committee consists of Penn faculty and staff members who are interested in supporting anti-violence programming on campus. The committee meets once a semester to discuss programming ideas, current concerns, and campus wide events. If you are a Penn faculty or staff member and would like to get involved please contact Jessica Mertz.

PVP collaborates with various departments/organizations at Penn and across Philadelphia including: The Penn Women’s Center, the Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Special Services, the Office of Student Conduct, Women Organized Against Rape, and Women Against Abuse. Contact information for these places can be found in the “resources” section.

Jessica Mertz Violence Prevention Educator Penn Women’s Center 3643 Locust Walk 215.898.6500 jmertz@upenn.edu