Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Thursday, 07 15 2021
October is National Violence Awareness Month. October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and voice its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects everyone regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
According to Healing Abuse Working for Change, 21% of college students report having experienced dating violence by a current partner, and 32% of college students report experiencing dating violence by a previous partner.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV.Org), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Statistics report that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe intimate partner violence such as physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking.
In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021, the Student Counseling Center participated in active and passive programming. Passive Programming included placing statistical and informational banners throughout the campus. A virtual book display was available for students to view and access in collaboration with the Campus Library. Students were able to stop by and view the book display casually. SCC collaborated with the Title IX office to host an interactive tabling event on Friday, October 22nd; approximately 100 students, faculty, and staff attended the event. Students took the opportunity to participate in the event by spinning the wheel, answering questions on domestic violence, and taking giveaways.
Recognizing that students utilize social media to stay updated on current events, the SCC posted facts and information on Domestic Violence Awareness throughout the month.
The Student Counseling Center wants to offer to support to all those impacted by domestic violence. Sandra Mendoza Lee, LCSW-S (Healthy Relationships Liaison), said, “There is hope and resilience in the grim statistics of domestic violence because we can all make a difference in addressing this national concern. We can choose to get involved at different levels. As a friend, we can be that person whom the victim and go to for unconditional support. We can get involved by posting information and statistics on domestic violence on Facebook. Perhaps we can share a link on YouTube on a victim-survivor story. If together we raise awareness and get involved, one-day Domestic Violence will have less of a grip on our Nation like it does today.”
During the second week of October, their office hosted a “Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week” in which faculty, staff, and students were encouraged to wear different colors each day to recognize various mental health illnesses.
Purple represents DVAM as a symbol of peace, dignity, survival, honor, and dedication to ending domestic violence.