UA Women’s Resource Center to Host Domestic Violence Awareness Month Events

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Women’s Resource Center at The University of Alabama is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting a series of events to help eliminate the problem of dating and domestic violence in the Tuscaloosa area.

During October, community members are asked to wear purple ribbons as part of the center’s awareness campaign. Ribbons can be requested for individuals or organizations by contacting Zoe Storey at zlstorey@sa.ua.edu.

The center also will join with Verizon Wireless for the annual HopeLine drive in October. Community members are asked to drop off used cell phones — in working order or not — and accessories at the center or the Office of the Dean of Students. The phones will be recycled and used to help those affected by dating and domestic violence.

Other events, all free and open to the public unless otherwise specified, include:

5:30–7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Film screening of “Murdered by My Boyfriend” followed by discussion on the cycle of dating violence in young adults. 337 Lloyd Hall.

6–7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 — Reel Stories: Ray Rice Edition. The Women’s Resource Center Student Leadership Council examines the media’s depiction of and influence on the Ray Rice domestic violence case and how students’ response affects victims. 309 Ferguson Center.

2–4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 — UA Acts with Courage board training. An in-depth training on student dating violence and bystander intervention. RSVP to Zoe Storey at zlstorey@sa.ua.edu.

2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 — Harbor Training program on interpersonal violence. Open to faculty, staff and graduate students only. RSVP to Paige Miller at cpmiller1@sa.ua.edu.

Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 — EveryWoman Book Club discussion of “The Kitchen God’s Wife.” RSVP to Paige Miller at cpmiller1@sa.ua.edu.

6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 — Bystander intervention panel offering advice from students to students on how to interrupt and end dating violence. 309 Ferguson Center.

“We are so excited about everything we have coming up for DVAM,” said Storey, Women’s Resource Center peer education coordinator. “We’re hoping to get as many students involved as possible to let people know just how prevalent instances of dating and domestic violence are, and ways we can help reduce that number.”

The University of Alabama Women’s Resource Center, through a focus on gender, fosters a community of social justice, safety, diversity, leadership and education. This is accomplished by outreach, advocacy, collaboration and support to individuals and communities of all identities. For more information on the center, including its Domestic Violence Awareness Month events, go to http://wrc.ua.edu/.