Domestic Violence Awareness Month: A Recap

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! This month is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence, honoring and recognizing survivors, and educating the public about what domestic violence is. At UVa, different student groups have hosted many events throughout the month. As the month is coming to an end, it’s time to reflect!

1. The Clothesline Project:

Last week, members of the Gender Violence and Social Change Program at the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center hosted the Clothesline Project. It is a display of shirts made by survivors of sexual or domestic violence as a way to express their emotions and stories. There were many inspiring shirts on display, and it was a beautiful visual representation of the strength and resilience of survivors.

2. The Red Flag Campaign

Also during the past week, the Women’s Center hosted a variety of events pertaining to the Red Flag Campaign. There was a panel called discussion called “A Survivor’s Guide to Relationship Violence,” which featured stories from survivors and education from experts. In addition, students are encouraged to plant a red flag to raise awareness of the “red flags” of relationship violence, while also viewing the Clothesline Project display.

3. Domestic Violence Awareness Week

During the week of October 26, the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority hosted Domestic Violence Awareness Week. Throughout the campaign, there was a food drive, a day to wear purple in honor of the mission, a restaurant night, and a few other events around Grounds aimed at educating students. The week concludes with a run/walk on November 1^st sponsored by SHE, the Shelter for Help in Emergency, which is a Charlottesville Organization that helps women who are victims of domestic violence.

These are just a few of the incredible things that have been going on during Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the University. Through the many events and organizations that got involved, much more awareness was brought to domestic violence. As we round up the month with Halloween and November rolls in, it is important to remember that raising awareness doesn’t stop here; there will still be plenty of groups working to keep the conversation going, which is what needs to happen to create change. Thanks to everyone who was a part of these events in any way!