Syracuse University Goes Purple to Support Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness

In honor of National Domestic and Dating Violence Awareness Month, the Barnes Center at The Arch sponsored the “SU Goes Purple” decorating contest during the month of October. The contest invited University offices and departments to decorate their workspaces purple to help raise awareness and show support for survivors and those impacted by any form of interpersonal violence.

“We were thrilled to have seven departments from across campus participate in this year’s contest, helping Syracuse University go purple to show our support for victims of domestic and dating violence,” says Michelle Goode, a health promotion specialist focused on sexual and relationship violence prevention in the Barnes Center at The Arch. “In addition to the visual impact of ‘going purple,’ we encouraged the campus community to participate in National Wear Purple Day on Oct. 24 and held a candlelight vigil last week in memory of those lost to domestic violence. These efforts drive home the message that there is no place for domestic violence on Syracuse University’s campus, and ensures that the voices of victims do not go unheard.”

Also part of the monthlong awareness effort was The Clothesline Project, an annual T-shirt display co-sponsored by Student Centers and Programing Services, Syracuse University Libraries and the Barnes Center at The Arch.

Below, check out some of the photos of Syracuse University going purple and the SU Goes Purple contest winners. Thank you to all who participated!

The Clothesline Project is an annual visual display of T-shirts created by individuals that have been impacted by interpersonal violence.

Most Purple Space and Most Liked Page on Social Media: Syracuse Abroad.

Most Purple Space and Most Liked Page on Social Media: Syracuse Abroad.

Honorable Mention: Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience (ESE), Communications.

Grand Prize Winner for Best Decorated Administration Space: Dean of Students Office.

Grand Prize Winner for Best Decorated Administration Space: Dean of Students Office.

The Cultural Centers staff members, representing the Disability Cultural Center, LGBT Resource Center and Office of Multicultural Affairs, showed their support of Purple Thursday on Oct. 24.

Most Creatively Decorated Space: The Barnes Center at The Arch, Recreation.

Most Creatively Decorated Space: The Barnes Center at The Arch, Recreation.

Honorable Mention: Department of Citizenship and Civic Engagement.

The Peer Educators Encouraging Healthy Relationships and Sexuality (PEEHRS) team showed their support of Purple Thursday on Oct. 24.

Honorable Mention: Department of Geography.

Most Interactive Space: Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

A wall of purple ribbons and factoids about dating and domestic violence.

The ESE leadership team showed their support of Purple Thursday on Oct. 24. (Pictured left to right: Dolan Evanovich, senior vice president of enrollment and the student experience; Bev Everding, ESE director of administration; Shannon Feeney Andre, ESE director of communications; Ryan Williams, vice president of enrollment services)

Get involved by joining the SEPT listserv

The Sexual and Relationship Violence Student Education and Prevention Team (SEPT) recently launched a dedicated listserv to share information regarding programming, policy updates, collaboration opportunities and other relevant information pertaining to violence prevention. Faculty and staff who want to get more involved in these efforts can complete the SEPT listserv form to be added to the email list. With questions or for more information, contact Michelle Goode.

Photos by Evan Jenkins, Division of Marketing and Communications