PASAP Webinar: 

Domestic Violence and the Impact on Students, featuring Lori Palisin, Executive Director, Safe Journey and Michelle Evans, Program Director, Safe Journey. 

Webinar Description: 

The information presented in this session will alert attendees to both the prevalence among and impact of domestic and dating violence on school age youth, highlight the importance of addressing its negative effects on student academic achievement and health, and inform the development of school policies and procedures that incorporate the utilization of prevention programming, training and counseling/advocacy services available from local domestic violence agencies.

Speaker Bios:  

Lori Palisin stands as a beacon of hope and change in the fight against domestic violence. As the esteemed executive director of Safe Journey, a leading domestic violence services agency in Erie County, PA, Lori has dedicated her career to restoring dignity and personal power to victims of domestic violence. As the chief executive officer of PurpleOne, she believes that educating all members of the communities is crucial to ending domestic violence. After a remarkable 26- year career championing the needs of victims and survivors of domestic violence, Lori spearheaded efforts to educate communities on recognizing, responding, and referring victims to essential services. PurpleOne is a national training and awareness campaign that unites communities against domestic violence. Lori is a member of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and co-founder the current member of the Rural Erie County Domestic Violence Task Force and Domestic Violence Safe Service Network (DVSSN). She holds bachelor’s in Business, Liberal Arts and Science with a minor in Psychology from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Her dedication earned national acclaim when Safe Journey was awarded the Purple Ribbon Award gold medal for Outstanding Awareness Campaign in 2021, followed by Lori's personal recognition as Shelter Executive of the Year in 2023.

Michelle Evans is the program director of Safe Journey, a domestic and dating violence services program, in Erie County, Penn. Michelle believes informed bystander intervention has a positive and meaningful impact on reducing domestic violence. With more than 18 years of experience managing all aspects of shelter and counselor/advocacy services, she has developed an expert knowledge base on victim empowerment. Michelle currently serves as a member of the Erie County Rural Domestic Violence Task Force and Domestic Violence Safe Services Network. Prior to her work in domestic violence services, Michelle has worked in a variety of industries include education, first responder services, and government. Michelle holds a bachelor's degree in Education with a specialization in Mathematics from Slippery Rock University of PA.