Students will be donning purple Wednesday to show their support and give a voice to victims of domestic violence.
As October approaches, UB is making preparations to host multiple events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including Walk with Me, a charity walk, held in the Student Union lobby Wednesday, Oct. 1.
About 8 percent of UB students said they have experienced emotional abuse in a relationship; about 2 percent said they experienced a physically abusive relationship; and 1.4 percent said they experienced a sexually abusive relationship, according to the university’s 2013 National College Health Assessment.
To honor all victims, Wellness Education Services is asking students to walk their daily routes around campus, wearing purple bandanas they will provide. The event will take place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Purple is the official color of domestic violence awareness. It symbolize peace, courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending violence.
“We want to see the school filled with purple,” said Kara Fitzpatrick, a UB alumna and administrative assistant in Student Affairs. “It’s a very visual event so that [domestic violence victims] can recognize that we’re here to raise awareness and support them.”
As a student, Fitzpatrick served as the alliance leader in Wellness Services and participated in the Walk with Me event, as well as other events, during Domestic Violence Month. Now, she works in Wellness Services to help plan these events. The staff in the Wellness Center hopes to inspire more students to take part in these events to help others, Fitzpatrick said.
Other events have an interactive element, like “These Hands Don’t Hurt,” in which students place their hands on the windows of the Student Union lobby, taking a pledge of non-violence. The creators and staff members of the Walk with Me event hope to have many students continue raising awareness for domestic violence and resources for its victims.
Members of Omega Phi Beta said raising awareness about domestic violence is important to their philanthropic efforts. Every October, the sorority members ask students to portray domestic violence through art that is showcased at Buffalo State College at the end of the month.
“I feel like we are the voice that they don’t have in a way,” said Stephanie Hernandez, a senior nursing major and president of Omega Phi Beta.
Hernandez has also participated in the Walk with Me event, along with other sisters in the organization. She believes they are creating a discussion about how to help victims and stop domestic violence through awareness events. The sisters of Omega Phi Beta have been helping the Buffalo community fight against domestic violence for 15 years.
The Wellness Center has partnered with the Crisis Services Advocate Program and Haven House, a local domestic violence shelter in Buffalo, to help raise awareness outside UB. Students can bring clothing items, toys and personal hygiene items to the Wellness Center throughout October, which will be donated to the Haven House.
“Domestic violence is an issue that is now more public,” said Nashali Castillo, a senior health and human services major and vice president of Omega Phi Beta. “With that publicity, it’s helping women to come out and fight for justice.”
Other events will take place during October, such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, in which men walk in high-heeled shoes, and Take Back the Night, a rally to speak out against sexual assault. SBI Health Education is sponsoring both events.
Along with the Walk with Me event, the Wellness Center is offering workshops to teach students how to help victims of sexual assault.
The workshop will be offered Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. in SU 210 and on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. in 301 Michael Hall on South Campus. The Wellness Center is also offering a bystander intervention training workshop Oct. 30 at 3:30 p.m. in Michael Hall 301 and Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. in SU 210.
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