Best of the Week 2020-2021: Holy Cross Values

ST. ED'S PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEVELAND RAPE CRISIS CENTER ASSISTS IN THE FORMATION OF EMPATHIC EDSMEN

Senior Theology students participated in a presentation led by Prevention Educator Joshua Hill from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) on healthy relationships, defining consent, and how to serve as an active bystander. The presentation covered different sessions on consent, sexual violence, alcohol use, etc. Students are provided with strategies for how to safely intervene when they notice unsafe situations, how to identify warning signs and risks of an unhealthy relationship and how to set goals for their own relationships, and how to facilitate in-depth conversation about consent. "These subjects are very serious topics, but Josh was able to use his friendliness and a sense of humor to help students feel comfortable and engage with them in breakthrough discussions," says Theology Department Chair Chris Merriman. As a school committed to educating the minds and hearts alike, St. Ed's continues to provide students with innovative wellness initiatives and programming to discuss social issues. "I thought the topic of Josh's presentation is an essential piece of our students' St. Edward formation, especially as seniors preparing to enter into the rest of their lives," says Theology teacher Owen Williams '13. "I'm impressed by Josh's ability to take serious topics and present them in a way that is non-threatening and engaging. Ultimately, two of the main dispositions our Theology courses hope to teach are empathy and vulnerability, and St. Ed's partnership with the CRCC contributes to that significantly."