Auburn University hosting awareness events in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Auburn University will recognize October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month by lighting Samford Hall in purple and hosting an awareness week Oct. 21-25.

“Domestic violence awareness is a cause that is very important to Auburn’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity and the Women’s Initiatives subunit,” said Director of Women’s Initiatives for Auburn Panhellenic Ally Huber. “As a student, I really value the opportunity to contribute my time and work with the Office of Inclusion and Diversity as well as Auburn’s Domestic Violence Intervention Center to raise awareness on campus for an issue that affects more than 10 million people annually in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.”        

The events will begin with a Silent Witness campaign called “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” that will display a collection of stories from victims of domestic violence on the Haley Concourse at various times during Auburn’s awareness week. The week will continue with a Lunch and Learn Title IX Training with Kelly Taylor, Auburn’s Title IX coordinator, on Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and a documentary screening of “Private Violence” at 6:30 p.m. Both of these events will be held in the Cross Cultural Center for Excellence, located in suite 2103 of the Student Center.

Alpha Chi Omega will host a candlelight vigil on Cater Lawn on Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

T-shirts will be available to purchase on the Haley Concourse from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 21 and 24. Proceeds from the sales of the $10 shirts will go to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center, a local center that provides direct services—such as shelter, hotline and referrals—to battered women and their children in times of need and assists them through counseling and advocacy, in leading violence-free lives. The center serves the counties of Lee, Chambers, Tallapoosa, Macon and Randolph.

Auburn University students, faculty and staff who are impacted by power-based personal violence have access to a 24/7 free and confidential advocacy service called Safe Harbor. Safe Harbor is survivor-centered resource with advocates who provide information about on- and off-campus services including counseling, medical care, legal reporting, Title IX reporting and academic accommodations. Safe Harbor’s advocates are dedicated to serving people of all races, cultures, nationalities, immigration statuses, sexual orientations, gender expressions, economic statuses, religions, ability statuses and other social identities. Safe Harbor’s 24/7 crisis phone number is 334-844-SAFE (7233).

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was created with the intent of connecting advocates across the nation who strive to end violence against women and their children. It stemmed from the Day of Unity observed by the National Coalition against Domestic Violence in October 1981. The day soon became an entire week devoted to conducting a variety of activities on local, state and national levels. The activities hosted share the common theme of mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived and connecting those who work to end it.