The PATH Institute

Our Institute was founded in 2023 with a mission to support independent schools, particularly boarding schools, in addressing the complex challenges of sexual abuse and misconduct on their campuses. Inspired by Dr. Judith Herman’s framework, which holds sexual abuse as a community issue requiring a community response, the Institute seeks to foster environments where thoughtful dialogue and collective action can lead to safer, more responsive school communities.

The reality of providing effective responses to sexual abuse is far from simple—it demands nuanced understanding, collaboration, and innovation. At the PATH Institute, one of our core goals is to create spaces where open dialogue can flourish. Through facilitated workshops and forums, we bring together a diverse range of perspectives to explore the gaps in current systems and work toward creative, sustainable solutions.

These co-created spaces will enable transparent conversations that acknowledge the pain points faced by schools, survivors, and the broader school community. By leveraging the collective experiences of all participants, we aim to develop actionable ideas that can transform institutional responses and create safer, more supportive environments for everyone involved.

At its core, the PATH Institute is a diverse network of individuals with varied, but deeply relevant, experiences and expertise. Our members include survivors of sexual abuse, school administrators, legal professionals specializing in abuse cases and settlements, and researchers in the field. This wide range of perspectives enriches our work and strengthens our ability to identify where current systems fall short while generating innovative solutions.

Founding Members:

Ann Malabre, MAT, Phillips Exeter Academy ’81, Trauma Support and Recovery Coach, Conflict Resolution and Group Process Facilitator

Julia Gray, LCSW, Phillips Exeter Academy ’97, Altha Therapy and Wellness

Advisory Board:

Charol Shakeshaft Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

Christine Dunn, Partner at Sanford Heisler, Sharp McKnight

Jamie Forbes, Founder and CEO, Learning Courage

Kristin Knuuttila, Founder of Knuuttila Law

Marie-Laure Parke, MS, CPC, Trainer, Facilitator and Coach of Restorative Process and Founder of RISE Culture Caching

Elizabeth Clements, MSW, Founder & Executive Director at HiddenWater

Toni McMurphy, Founder, Infinite Impact

Kay Pranis, Leader and trainer in restorative justice

Sarah Peyton, Neuroscience Educator with a focus on the effects of relational trauma, Author

David Karp, Leadership and Director of the Center for Restorative Justice in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at University of San Diego