NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2013
Contact: Lulu Todorov (215.825.8202 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
May 4 Marks Second Annual "Deepening Men's Relationships" Conference
PHILADELPHIA – On Saturday, May 4, Joseph J. Peters Institute (JJPI) and Widener University will present their second annual conference, "Deepening Men's Relationships." This year, the all-day event focuses on "Men Healing from Childhood Sexual and Emotional Abuse." "We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown for last year's conference," says JJPI Executive Director Theodore Glackman. "This second conference about men's lives will focus on how men can heal from the trauma of abuse and restore trust in their relationships."
Together with Widener University's Center for Human Sexuality Studies, Center for Social Work Education, Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology and the Deepening Men's Relationships Coordinating Committee, JJPI, a leading nonprofit mental health agency providing outpatient assessment and treatment services in the area of sexual abuse, will present nationally recognized speakers and a variety of informative panels. The conference will also include large- and small-group discussions.
Featured presenters will include Dr. Richard Gartner, therapist, author and founder of the internationally renowned organization MaleSurvivor. Additionally, the conference will feature Dr. Michael Kimmel, a sociologist whose work on masculinity and men's lives includes authoring the critically acclaimed bestseller Guyland. Conference facilitators include therapists, educators and childhood abuse survivors. "We passionately believe that a conversation on childhood abuse will better inform service providers and help to facilitate further healing," says local psychiatrist Robert Garfield, one of the founders of the Coordinating Committee. As Glackman notes, "We need to highlight this issue as a nation, as a community and as individuals. This conference is just the beginning of that conversation."
As part of the Deepening Men's Relationships Coordinating Committee, JJPI is working with regional therapists in developing the conference to address issues facing not only those males who have been sexually abused in their youth, but also those who have experienced other forms of physical and emotional abuse in the form of bullying, homophobia and related emotional trauma. Local therapist Robert Heasley, another co-founder of the Coordinating Committee and Professor of Sociology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and adjunct professor at Widener's Human Sexuality program notes that "The support from JJPI along with Widener's graduate programs, presents an opportunity to connect those who are doing clinical work with men and those involved in the academic fields to come together in addressing a critical need for strengthening awareness in our region."
JJPI has taken a leading role in the media and other forums to educate citizens about sexual abuse, prevention, impact on society and the families, treatment options and intervention strategies while Widener University has maintained a strong commitment to bringing together the applied and academic community to work in making a difference in people's lives.
For more information about the conference and to register, go to eventbrite.com or contact JJPI's Peter Simonsson at 215.701.1560.
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About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
About JJPI
Joseph J. Peters Institute (JJPI) is a nonprofit mental health agency providing outpatient assessment and treatment services in the area of sexual abuse. JJPI's mission is to reduce the causes and overall results of sexually abusive behaviors through research, training, prevention and treatment. JJPI evaluates and treats survivors of sexual abuse as well as offenders. In addition, JJPI provides training to organizations throughout the region, and has a national reputation for its work in the assessment, treatment, prevention and education related to sexual abuse. For more information on the Joseph J. Peters Institute, visit www.jjp.org.
About Widener University
Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton, Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve some 6,500 students. Visit the university website, www.widener.edu.
