AG Rowe at UMaine Tuesday for Relationship Abuse Policy Event

Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571

ORONO — Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe will provide a keynote talk on Tuesday, Sept. 12 when the University of Maine formally adopts its Relationship Abuse and the Workplace Policy. UMaine President Robert A. Kennedy will speak and sign the policy at 10:15 a.m. at Buchanan Alumni House. Rowe’s address will follow Kennedy’s remarks.

The new policy, which provides the framework for programming that will provide a supportive environment for UMaine employees to deal effectively with relationship abuse issues, was inspired by a 2004 executive order by Gov. John Baldacci. UMaine’s Safe Campus Project staff will oversee the related training and program management.

A key feature of the UMaine program is a team of community volunteers, trained to provide opportunities for confidential discussion, along with assistance in helping a victim of relationship abuse determine what to do next. Policy education sessions for UMaine managers and supervisors have also been scheduled for later in September.

Kennedy’s remarks will be preceded, at 9:50 a.m., by responder/volunteers portraying a mock response situation. The volunteer responders will also be recognized.

The Safe Campus Project works to promote the reduction of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking by encouraging healthy and consensual relationships.UMaine launched the Safe Campus Project in 2001 with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Justice and made the project a permanent part of the institution in 2005. The project provides and coordinates services, outreach programs, and violence prevention training for all members of the UMaine community.