PublicSource event focuses on sexual assault in the military

The four panelist from the PublicSource event. From left to right: Alissa Mailen Perrotto, Dr. Katie McCorkle, Jessica Kenyon and Jackie Shellaby.

The panel moderator was PublicSource editor Sharon Walsh.

Alissa Mailen Perrotto works with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, doing research and providing online information and resources.

Dr. Katie McCorkle is a psychologist and the founder of the Balanced Hart Healing Center in Wexford, Pa.

Jessica Kenyon served in the Army as an Apache Helicopter Crew Chief. She was raped and assaulted while she was in the military and, since her 2006 discharge, has focused on advocating for other survivors.

Jackie Shellaby is a clinical social worker who runs the Homeless Veterans Day Program at Veterans Place in Pittsburgh.

Photos by A. Jason Coleman and Alexandra Kanik

On Nov. 29, PublicSource hosted its first public event at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. With more than 60 people in attendance, the event featured the screening of 'The Invisible War,' a documentary film about sexual assault in the military. After the film, PublicSource Editor Sharon Walsh moderated a panel of guests from across the state. Panelists discussed reasons sexual assault is so pervasive within the military. They offered solutions that are available to service members struggling with the repercussions of sexual assault, noting that sexual violence is a deeply-rooted problem among military and civilian societies alike.

Special thanks to all of our panelists, including Jessica Kenyon of Benefiting Veterans; Ali Mailen Perrotto of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center; Dr. Katie McCorkle of Balanced Heart Healing Center; and Jacqueline Shellaby of Veterans Place.

PublicSource will continue to cover this very important issue. If you missed the event, here is the audio from the panel discussion: