DSU hosts fifth annual sexual assault prevention conference

Delaware State University welcomed students, faculty, and community members Friday for its fifth Annual Sexual Assault Prevention Conference, a daylong event centered on “Your Voice, Your Safety: Empowering Students Against Dating & Domestic Violence.”

Held in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center Parlors, the conference focused on raising awareness around sexual assault, dating violence, and domestic violence while providing students with tools and resources to better understand trauma, recognize unhealthy patterns, and support themselves and others.

Hip-hop pioneer and cultural historian Roxanne Shanté delivered a powerful keynote, blending storytelling with hard truths about relationships, self-worth, and what often goes unseen.

“Behind the scenes is really what’s most important,” Shanté said. “You don’t want to survive life. You want to live it.”

Drawing from her own experiences, Shanté spoke about how easily people can become caught up in appearances, stressing that what looks successful or appealing on the outside does not always reflect reality. She encouraged students to be mindful of the relationships they enter and to understand the role self-esteem plays in the choices they make.

“Your number one fan should always be you,” she said.

Her message underscored a central theme of the conference, the importance of recognizing warning signs early and not losing oneself in situations that may appear positive on the surface but are harmful underneath.

Tamara Thomas, a therapist and owner and CEO of Transpire Wellness, followed with a deeply personal and interactive session focused on how trauma impacts mental health over time.

“I share from personal knowledge, and I’m inviting you into an experience today,” Thomas said.

Thomas explained that trauma is not always immediately recognized and can build over time, shaping behaviors, thought patterns, and relationships in ways people may not fully understand. She described how unresolved experiences often manifest in everyday life, affecting emotional well-being and decision-making.

“Until you deal with it, it’s not going anywhere,” she said.

She also challenged attendees to rethink long-held beliefs about silence and privacy, encouraging them to speak openly and seek support rather than internalize their experiences.

“Sometimes sharing our story is the only way that people will understand and learn to trust,” she said.

Motivational speaker and educator Dr. Reginald Moore also addressed attendees, focusing on the importance of healthy relationships and the role of community, communication, and commitment.

“Healthy relationships do not survive on feelings alone,” Moore said. “They are strengthened by community, guided by communication, and sustained by commitment.”

Moore emphasized that isolation can often allow harmful situations to go unnoticed, underscoring the need for strong support systems.

“A lot of abuse happens in isolation,” he said.

He encouraged students to build and maintain communities that provide accountability and support, noting that no one is meant to navigate challenges alone.

“No one has been built to be an island to themselves,” Moore said.

The conference also featured opportunities for students to connect with campus and community resources, including representatives from the University’s Master of Social Work program and local wellness organizations.

Now in its fifth year, the Sexual Assault Prevention Conference continues to create space for honest dialogue and education, reinforcing the University’s commitment to supporting students and fostering a campus culture rooted in safety, awareness, and care.