The Campus Violence Prevention and Intervention Program (CVPIP) at Mississippi Valley State University is working hard to bring awareness to domestic violence
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women's advocates across the country.
The CVPIP at MVSU will observe the month of October with several events geared toward engaging the campus community to discuss domestic violence and its effects on all people.
Erica Draine, the Project Coordinator at MVSU, said it is vital to speak out and spread awareness about the impact of domestic violence.
"No one is immune to the effects of domestic violence," said Draine. Women and men of all races and cultures can be victims of domestic violence. People must understand that it is more than physical abuse. It can be yelling humiliation, stalking, manipulation, threats, isolation, and so much more," she added.
Draine said that at MVSU, "the goal of the program is to reduce the occurrence of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking on MVSU's campus and its surrounding community."
She added that one of the ways the unit is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month is being available throughout the month in the Jacob Aaron Student Union (at various times) with information and resources to hand out to students and the campus community.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, the CVPIP will host a "Writing on the Wall" event in the student union's lobby. The campus community will have an opportunity to show support for domestic violence victims by writing messages of encouragement to victims and survivors.
The final event will be held on Thursday, October 29, and the community is asked to show support by participating in "Purple Thursday." The entire campus community is encouraged to wear purple in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
"It is important that we not only recognize the plight of domestic violence in our society but work to eradicate this CRIME of interpersonal violence to make our campuses and homes much safer.," said Draine.
Since the landmark legislation Violence Against Women Act passed in 1984, great awareness has been raised, but more work still needs to be done.
If participants post pictures to social media, you are encouraged to use the hashtags.
#WearPurpleforDomesticViolence #PurpleThursday.
For more information, please contact Draine at (662)254-8406 or Erica.draine@mvsu.edu.