Since 1989 when it was first declared, October has been recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This season of recognition is marked by initiatives like marches and workshops that raise awareness for and provide resources to survivors of domestic abuse. You may have noticed initiatives such as Purple Pumpkins, part of a city-wide effort to start conversations on the topic. One club on Transy’s campus is committed to this important mission year-round.
“We know that every college campus has students who experience dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault,” says Ashley Hill, Associate Dean of Students and Advisor for It’s On Us. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 58% of college students say they don’t know what to do to help someone who is a victim of dating abuse. Paired with the fact that most female (69%) and male (53%) victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner had their first experience with intimate partner violence before the age of 25, college campuses are recognized as especially dangerous environments for these kinds of violence and abuse. For this reason, groups like It’s On Us are crucial to reducing these statistics and supporting survivors.
“We do a lot of educating to our members and the broader campus community and hold a lot of events,” says Erin Gray, President of It’s On Us. Last month, the club held two events; Purple Pumpkins, and Cup Condoms. The Purple Pumpkin project displayed statistics and resources for students around campus to raise awareness. “This is an event to show students that we are a campus that is here to support and empower them”, said Ashley Hill. Additionally, as an effort to prevent drink spiking and reduce the rates of sexual assault, the club distributed free Cup Condoms on October 25th. Their work doesn’t end once October passes; the club continues to educate students during its regularly scheduled meetings. They discuss topics such as conflict resolution, differentiating between forms of violence and abuse, how to support survivors, and where to find resources.
The club is always open to new members, so contact Erin Gray or Ashley Hill if interested.
If you are experiencing abuse, help is available. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673)
