Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo By Meghan See

Domestic abuse awareness is on display

By Katie Callaluca

kicallaluca@vwc.edu

For the second October in a row, the Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP) is raising awareness on campus of domestic abuse. Virginia Wesleyan is participating in National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month by teaming up with Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Southampton Roads Women in Crisis Center.

At the moment, YWCA is working with Virginia Wesleyan’s Counseling Center to set up a program with victims within the Virginia Wesleyan Community. It includes a 30 minute response team with Sentara hospitals. Throughout campus, posters and images are hanging to raise awareness of domestic abuse to the campus community.

“Unhealthy Relationships” was a workshop put on in the Women’s Resource Center by Francesca Dillard-Moore of YWCA and Toya Wynn, volunteer coordinator of YWCA. Dillard- Moore’s “Unhealthy Relationships” used a PowerPoint presentation to explain the domestic abuse epidemic to students and faculty. The presentation explained myths, facts, and overall awareness of the subject including an interactive true/false quiz. Did you know that battering is the single major cause of injury to women?

There are at least four million reported incidents of domestic violence against women each year.

It is not certain of how many unreported incidents there are. Dillard-Moore also spoke about how males can be victims of domestic violence too. She said that especially in same-sex relationships, domestic abuse exists. These victims are getting “hit twice” because of the social biases against same-sex relationships. For example, police are not trained in dealing with different types of domestic abuse and the police officers bring their own personal biases to the scene.

The Clothesline Project and Inside Out: Faces of Healing are displayed in the Jane P. Batten Center Oct. 15 through Oct. 19 at the Hub. Lena Johnson, director of OIP, with the help of YWCA, has put together an array of mask and t-shirt artwork to increase knowledge of victims of domestic abuse to the campus.

Last year there were only t-shirts, but this year the masks have added a powerful statement to the showcase. Behind the masks are pieces of writing from the artist. One mask is bright yellow with sparkles. The back of the mask reads, “It’s a new day!!” Some of the mask’s colors and designs explain the healing process while others show victims coping with aspects of domestic violence. The masks are a form of art therapy for the victims of the YWCA. The reality of domestic violence can not always be like the bright yellow mask. She is a lucky survivor. One mask hanging on the clothesline was made in memory of a victim who took not only her own life, but her baby’s life as well. Behind the mask reads, “I love you she says, She did not know there was a place like this one, And now for no reason she is gone, her and her son, A place like the shelter, if only she knew, She could have been saved and the baby too.”

“These masks make a powerful statement on our campus.” Lena Johnson said, “It’s important thing for us to be doing. People need to be aware of domestic violence because we can all make a difference.”

We need to make a difference before it is too late.