The Hall of Languages illuminated by purple light in honor of Dating Violence Awareness Month.
October is nationally recognized as Dating Violence Awareness Month. Every year, Syracuse University hosts events to increase awareness and educate the campus community about the dangers and prevalence of dating and domestic violence. This year, the University is continuing that tradition with an array of events.
Julia Cutler, a junior and peer educator in the Barnes Center at The Arch says, “Dating Violence Awareness Month provides a safe space for survivors to know there is a community that cares about them and is actively working to combat domestic and dating violence. It also makes it clear that there is no place for perpetrators of domestic violence on campus. Through the various events held throughout the month of October, we aim to raise awareness for survivors and make sure that their voices do not go unheard.”
Go Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month Decorating Contest
All University offices and departments are encouraged to decorate their spaces purple to help raise awareness for domestic and dating violence and show support for survivors. Residence halls are welcome to participate by encouraging residents to decorate their doors or host floor contests. Participants must register by Monday, Oct. 14, and judging begins on Monday, Oct. 21. Students who would like to volunteer to be judges are asked to please register as soon as possible.
Show your Solidarity in the Movement to End Dating and Domestic Violence
Members of the campus community are encouraged to share on social media how they will create positive change in our culture to reduce domestic and other forms of interpersonal violence using #SUGoesPurple and #IWillTBTN. At different times throughout the month, the Hall of Languages will be lit in purple to raise awareness of domestic and dating violence in support of survivors and victims. On Thursday, Oct. 24, the University will participate in National Wear Purple Day, a nationwide effort to show solidarity with those impacted by interpersonal violence. Those who wish to show solidarity are encouraged to wear a purple ribbon or purple attire and tag @BeWellSU on social media while using the hashtags #SUGoesPurple and #IWillTBTN.
The Clothesline Project provides the campus with an opportunity to explore displays of t-shirts decorated by those impacted by interpersonal violence. The display will be on exhibit from Monday, Oct. 21, through Monday, Oct. 28, in Bird Library and in the Barnes Center at The Arch from Monday, Oct. 21, through Thursday, Oct. 31. If you are interested in creating a shirt or hosting a space to create t-shirts, please contact Michelle Goode, sexual and relationship violence prevention specialist by email at mlgoode@syr.edu or by calling Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotion at 315.443.8000.
Join the Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel to honor the memories of individuals that have lost their lives due to domestic and dating violence. There will be a brief statement followed by a moment of silence.
In addition to events, there are multiple opportunities to show solidarity and support throughout the month on social media. Follow @BeWellSU to see the various ways the campus community is uniting around the issue of domestic and interpersonal violence awareness.
For more information or to request accommodations, please contact Michelle Goode, sexual and relationship violence prevention specialist, at mlgoode@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.8000.
Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Abigail J. Covington ’19, G ’20.
