DARCC Partners with the SMU Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women
DARCC is thrilled to announce we've partnered with the SMU Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women to undertake important research into the history of rape crisis centers and the anti-sexual violence movement.
We’ll be sharing their research during the November 20 Lunch and Learn (12pm-1pm via Zoom). You won’t want to miss their engaging presentation that covers the pivotal time periods, key events, and influential people that shaped rape crisis centers. Register here.
Leading the innovative research project are SMU Dedman School of Law students: Shriya Senguttuvan, Hannah Gruber, and Alexis Brashears.
Alexis:
Hi, my name is Alexis Brashears! I’m a second-year student at SMU Dedman School of Law, and I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where I graduated with my bachelor's degree in English. I was inspired to join the Hunter Crimes Against Women Clinic at SMU due to the tremendous work they do for women in the community. I am very passionate about this area of law not only because I am a woman, but also because no one should ever experience what these women have gone/are going through, and I really wanted to help these women gain some closure.
This semester I am part of the DARCC project to help educate others on the history of Rape Crisis Centers. I chose to join this project in hopes that by educating others, the message and resources of the center can reach women who need it. For the project, I have been researching how various movements, especially the Battered Women’s Movement, impacted and led to the creation of Rape Crisis Centers. Going forward, I hope my experience with the clinic and DARCC help me to better advocate for my clients.
Hannah:
My name is Hannah Gruber and I graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy (Law, Economy, & Policy) and Sociology. Now, I am a second-year law student at SMU Dedman School of Law. I was inspired to do this research because I am passionate about protecting women and supporting their needs. With this passion, I hope to contribute meaningful research to DARCC to help educate people as to the history of Race Crisis Centers (RCCs)—especially how social, economic, and political factors in the U.S. have contributed to the Anti-Sexual Violence movement and advocating for victim’s rights.
In the future, this experience will help me advocate for clients who have experienced violence because I will understand the outside factors that impact them and how RCCs can help them process their trauma.
Shriya:
My name is Shriya Senguttuvan, and I am a third-year law student at SMU Dedman School of Law. Originally from the Dallas area, I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Texas A&M. My interest in this research was sparked by my rewarding experience volunteering at the Sexual Assault Resource Center during college. That eye-opening opportunity motivated me to pursue similar work again.
I am incredibly grateful to be part of DARCC, as its impact on countless lives is profound. I believe this experience will broaden my understanding of the anti-sexual violence movement and the vital contributions it has made to society.