Ally Fahner
Contributing Writer
Dominican is hosting campus-wide events and initiatives this month, in addition to putting up posters and flyers, to spread awareness of domestic violence.
Much of the work stems from a federal grant that allowed the university to create the Rise Up Project, which aims to change the culture and mentality about domestic violence around campus, according to Mayra Chacón, Project Coordinator for the Wellness Center.
Dominican has connected with community partners and vendors who specialize in domestic violence awareness to help the university community, said the Rev. Elizabeth Ritzman, project administrator.
This month the Rise Up Project has partnered with Pillars Community Health to place cardboard silhouettes around campus with survivors’ individual stories to illustrate that there are silent survivors. Throughout the month, project workers move the silhouettes to various locations on campus in order to reach more people. Students are encouraged to send messages of support to the survivors through the Instagram page, @riseupprojectdu.
The push extends beyond the Dominican campus, Chacón said.
“There are a majority of commuters on campus so we try to have community partners in different geographic areas to make sure that if a student doesn’t feel comfortable seeking out help from the Wellness Center, we can refer them to one of our community partners,” she said.
Other events marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month include the DU Dance Against Domestic Violence, DU Wear Purple, and the Get Inclusive Training. DU Dance Against Domestic Violence is a hashtag challenge throughout the month for students to offer their support to survivors by posting a video of them dancing. DU Wear Purple takes place Oct. 26, when the goal is to have everyone on campus wear purple to support survivors. The Get
Inclusive training is a mandatory online training for all students about domestic violence due Oct. 28.
Students who need more information or help can go to the Wellness Center, which will use discretion, according to Ritzman, who directs the Wellness Center.
“(The) first thing (that is) important to say is anybody has a choice before anybody is contacted or reported,” Ritzman said.
afahner@my.dom.edu
