25th Annual Law and Society Week

Law and Society Week

The Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society Presents the 25th Annual Law and Society Week

Creating Communities that Care: Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Trauma-informed Spaces

This year's Law and Society Week theme seeks to highlight the importance of creating diverse, inclusive, student-focused, and community-centered spaces. From examining the impact of trauma to exploring the importance of treating trauma, this year's events will offer attendees the opportunity to hear, heal, and help each other navigate those spaces in a safe and supportive manner.

February 26 through February 29, 2024

Schedule of Events

 

Date Event Details

Monday, February 26, 2024

Opening Session and Keynote with Judge Lori Dumas

9:40 to 11:10 a.m., Room C2-28

Judge Dumas currently serves on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and has been committed to change throughout her career. From her work with community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Northwest Victims Services and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to her tenure on the bench as a Common Pleas Judge in Philadelphia Family Court – Juvenile Division, Judge Dumas continues to fight for fair and equitable justice for Philadelphia's most vulnerable children and families. 

She continues to display a deep dedication to improving diversity, encouraging equity and creating communities that care. We’ll also recognize student award winners.

 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Trauma, Mental Health and First Responders

11:20 a.m. to 12:50 p.m., Room C2-28

Presenters: Leslie Davila, Director, Office for Child and Youth Protection, Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and Lisa Zoll, Founder, Grief Relief, LLC 

What leads to a career firefighter lying on his kitchen floor, curled up in a ball, crying uncontrollably? What leads to a paramedic sitting in an ambulance bay wracked with anxiety about the next call? What leads the police officer to avoid driving down the street where a young person died by suicide? The answer to these questions is trauma. This workshop introduces trauma responses and their impact on first responders and those who work with them in related fields, such as hospital personnel, victim advocates, legal professionals, and mental health professionals. 

At this session, you will learn to identify what types of trauma and the trauma responses that impact first responders; explore the concepts of cumulative and vicarious trauma; and identify trauma-informed approaches that validate the impact of trauma, such as LEVELS (Listen, Empathy, Validate, Educate, Support).

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Trauma and Mitigating Circumstances

9:40 to 11:10 a.m. | Room S2-3

Presenter: Tracey Livingston, Research and Writing Specialist, Federal Public Defender, District of New Jersey 

This workshop will focus on childhood, adolescent, and adult traumas that lead to criminal behaviors, the connections between such traumas, and how they lead to particular unfortunate circumstances. The presenter will discuss the need for mental health interventions, the importance of humanizing individuals in court proceedings, and the difference mitigating circumstances can make in the reduction of punishment.

 

Trauma and Academic Performance

11:20 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. | Room S2-3

Presenter: Dr. Richard Frei, Associate Professor, Psychology, Community College of Philadelphia

We’ll examine the link between exposure to trauma and student performance through a survey of CCP students. Learn the symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as methods of reducing the impact of trauma on attendance, withdrawal, and academic performance.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Understanding Immigrant Trauma

9:40 to 11:10 a.m. | Room C2-28

Presenter: Juan Suarez-Romero, English Language Learner (ELL) Student Services Coordinator, Community College of Philadelphia 

Gain invaluable insights into the unique challenges and traumas faced by our immigrant ELL students. You’ll learn about the different types of traumas that they have experienced and get practical skills that will best serve ELL students.

Film Screening and Panel Discussion: “72 Seconds in Rittenhouse Square”

11:20 a.m. to 12:50 p.m., Room C2-28

Presenters: Fox Rothschild Center Co-directors; moderated by Malika Rahman, Instructor, Criminal Justice

This discussion will explore both sides of the race and justice coin, and examine how they intersect and expound on their impact. Participants will learn how the unity of humanity and community can inspire change even in times of indifference. 

 

Law and Society Week is supported by the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation.

 

Explore Past Law and Society Week Events

Looking Back at the 22nd Annual Law and Society Week

February 22-25 marked the 22nd Annual Fox Rothschild Center Law and Society Week. Over the course of the week, over 500 students, faculty, staff, administrators, and guests attended informative and thought-provoking events.  We want to thank Dr. Generals and Community College of Philadelphia for giving us the resources and safe space to host this annual event.  We also want to thank the Division for Marketing and Management and the Office of Communications for their continued support. Above all, we want to thank our presenters, moderators, and panelists for their willingness to share their expertise, experiences and research with us. 

Media coverage of the week:

Watch recordings of sessions from the week:

Gender Inequality in Law Enforcement: Beyond the Badge

Presenters: Malika Rahman and Kristal Turner-Childs
Watch the Meeting Recording
Access Passcode: VM6?iHm@

Policing Domestic Violence and Mental Health

Presenter: Victoria Chase
Watch the Meeting Recording
Access Passcode: %M7Lj622

Policing Our Streets and Building Trust Within Our Community- Wednesday February 24th

Facilitator: Judy Cruz-Ransom
Moderator: Leslie Davilla
Watch the Meeting Recording
Access Passcode: &4^YEB=r

The Tolls of Gun Violence

Presenters: Jim MacMillan and Kathleen Murphey
Watch the Meeting Recording
Access Passcode: 4yhx7A*J

Mock Trial: Fulton v. City of Philadelphia

Presenters: Lance Roxas and Liz Canapary
Watch the Meeting Recording:
Access Passcode: nhui#66k

Resources: 

The Community College of Philadelphia Gun Violence Reporting Center

The Initiative for Better Gun Violence Reporting

John Hopkins: Reducing Gun Violence in America: Evidence for Change

Suspicious Minds: Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Suspicion

Presenter: Faye Allard
Watch the Meeting Recording
Access Passcode: r@G#N!&0

Being Black Wearing Blue

On October 15, Criminal Justice visiting lecturer and Diversity Fellow Malika Rahman, along with the Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society, provided the community with an enlightening panel discussion that explored the attitudes, perceptions and impacts of the current social climate on their professional and personal lives. The panel included Branville Bard, Cambridge, MA Police Commissioner and former CCP Criminal Justice instructor; Major Kristal Turner-Childs, PA State Police; Gary Tuggle, DEA Retired Special Agent in Charge; Sergio Diggs, CCP alum and Philadelphia Police Officer. News coverage included a 6abc feature, ‘Being Black Wearing Blue' panel addresses police reform, systemic racism, and coverage on CBS 3, Community College of Philadelphia Hosts Virtual Discussion Called ‘Being Black Wearing Blue’.

Watch a Recording of Being Black Wearing Blue |Passcode: $?155AmS 

Explore Past Law and Society Week Photos

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