Professional Workshops & Consultation

Pathways offers a variety of professional workshops to organizations and groups from the Central Massachusetts Region on a variety of topics.

Paid Training

For a nominal fee, training is available to colleges, universities, corporations and non-profits and community groups.

Victimology 101: Sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes. All too often victims of sexual violence internalize the same victim blaming beliefs that our culture perpetuates. Why is it that the VICTIM is blamed for a violent crime that is committed against them? For the past 40+ years rape crisis centers have been looking at the larger issues that perpetuate violence against women and children and put the focus on the victim rather than the perpetrator. This training will provide an introduction to how society views gender and how the media plays a role in desensitizing us to the impact and consequences of sexualized violence.

Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is extremely widespread. It touches the lives of 40 to 60 percent of working women, and similar proportions of female students in colleges and universities. Sexual harassment can be devastating. Studies indicate that most harassment has nothing to do with “flirtation: or sincere sexual or social interest. Rather, it is offensive, often frightening and insulting to women. Being sexually harassed can devastate your psychological health, physical well-being and vocational development. Women who have been harassed often change their jobs, career goals, job assignments, educational programs or academic majors. In addition, women have reported psychological and physical reaction to being harassed such as: headaches, lethargy, gastrointestinal distress, dermatological reactions, weight fluctuations, sleep disturbances, nightmares, phobias and panic reactions. Employees who are the victims of sexual harassment may sue under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.A. § 2000e et seq.), which prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. This training, designed for employers and institutes of higher learning, will walk you through the legal definition of sexual harassment and teach you the steps to take to protect your employees or students from sexual harassment and the proper steps to take when an individual reports sexual harassment.  

258E ~ Harassment Prevention Orders: The legislature passed a law, called chapter 258E, to fill a critical gap in the legal system by providing victims of criminal harassment, stalking and sexual assault, regardless of their relationship with the defendant, with the ability to obtain harassment prevention orders against their perpetrators. Under chapter 209A, only those victims who are family members, reside in the same household, or have a substantial dating relationship with the defendant could obtain a restraining order; the new law has no such requirement. This training, designed for human service workers, victim advocates, human resources staff, police departments and court personnel will introduce you to the major components of the law and the steps necessary for a victims of criminal harassment, stalking and sexual assault to obtain such an order.

College Campuses and Rape: The U.S. Department of Justice reports that rape is the most common violent crime on American college campuses. 1 in 4 college women will be the victim of sexual assault during her academic career. In a recent study students found responsible for sexual assault were expelled in 30 percent of cases and suspended in 47 percent of cases. At least 17 percent of students received educational sanctions, while 13 percent were placed on probation, sometimes in addition to other punishments. While sexual assault is a crime, schools and universities can be held liable when their negligence contributes to or causes an unreasonable risk of a sexual assault. Pathways has a longstanding history of working with area colleges and universities on primary prevention programming to reduce the likelihood of rape as well as training faculty, staff, campus police, judicial committees and disciplinary committees on Best Practices when confronted with a sexual assault on campus.

Free Training

The Youth Access to Survivor Services Program

Research studies have shown that the first response can be critical to the next step that a youth will take. Most youth who disclose sexual violence to a responsive adult will go on to seek more services to help them to heal from the violence.  Surveys of youth workers has found that most youth workers have never received training or skill development about recognizing, responding, and referring youth who have experienced sexual violence. By responding effectively to disclosures, caring adults at youth-serving organizations can build positive rapport with youth, which will enhance their ability to connect the youth to resources and help promote positive mental health.

Training for staff in youth-serving organizations is available to provide guidance and resources regarding youths’ concerns about sexual violence. Adults in youth-serving organizations will become knowledgeable and approachable, which will help youth to feel comfortable, safe, and supported. They will positively affirm youth who disclose experiences of violence.

Youth-serving organizations are defined as any non-school based agency that serves youth. This includes after school programs, teen health providers, substance abuse programs, youth programs at faith institutions, and culturally specific programs that have youth programs.