Monroe Community Hosts DiVA Talk 2024 to Address Domestic Violence

The University was very proud to host DiVA Talk 2024 earlier today in partnership with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and other community partners. This annual event, led internally by our School of Criminal and Social Justice (SCSJ), focuses on the domestic violence crisis in our local communities. 

DiVA Talk brings together experts and survivor advocates for timely discussions on trends, solutions, and available community services and resources. This year's event centered on the current landscape of domestic violence advocacy and policy and was part of the Bronx Borough President’s 31 Days of Action initiative to raise awareness on domestic violence matters and share important resources for victims. 

"Domestic violence touches all communities, yet too frequently, significant barriers restrict access to resources.  Unfortunately, some victims are unaware of resources that can help them escape these kinds of relationships,” said SCSJ Dean Guylaine Harrison. “By sharing these resources with our students, we are proactively providing some support and education to them should they or someone they love, find themselves in a domestic violence situation.” 

DiVA Talk 2024 opened with greetings from Monroe University President Marc Jerome, with Bronx Borough President Gibson bringing inspiration with her opening remarks.  Monroe Adjunct Professor Anne Paulle gave an impassioned keynote address that focused on the movement to bring awareness to domestic violence from 1970 through today and into the future. 

The event also featured a panel discussion with Melissa Cebollero, Associate Vice President of Community Affairs at Montefiore Einstein; Maureen Curtis, Social Worker with Safe Horizons; Dr. Thomas Coghlan, Monroe's Director of the graduate Forensic Psychology Program, and Urania Castaneda, Monroe's Director of Human Services Program. 

Sponsors of DiVA Talk 2024 included Office of the Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Montefiore Einstein, Safe Horizon, Not On My Watch, Inc., Palms Upon My Hands, and Monroe University. We are very proud to stand with these incredible people, organizations, and teams doing impactful work throughout the Bronx.

Last month, Monroe University participated in several events during the 31 Days of Action, including the NYC ‘Go Purple’ Day of Action, encouraging students to wear purple to raise awareness about domestic violence, and the DiVA Spa event which treated participants to a day of pampering while learning important information and resources for victims of domestic violence. 

Launched more than 20 years ago, the DiVA initiative was first convened as a series of domestic violence awareness and intervention projects by Melissa Cebollero in the Bronx Borough President’s Office under Adolfo Carrion and Anne Paulle was among the first survivor support advocates to join with her.  

The DiVA name -- which reflects the initiative’s focus on Domestic Violence Awareness -- is given to a number of programs to help individuals in crisis and their families. DiVA programs range from immediate crisis intervention assistance to longer-term counseling and support. DiVA services have included inclusive spa/outreach, theatrical performances, and telephone hotline services for the Bronx community. 

Everyone deserves to be in a safe, healthy relationship. Help is available for those who are not. 

NYC 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE or call 311.  If you are in immediate danger, call 911.