Domestic violence awareness month

Georgia College & State University acknowledges the month of October with a luminary ceremony to increase the awareness of violence against women.

Dr. Sandi Curtis, director of Music Therapy, states that the purpose of the luminary ceremony is to address the issue of domestic violence.

“To increase awareness of the extent and seriousness of the issue of violence against women. More importantly , to act as a catalyst for change,” Curtis said. “Individual men and women can and must make a positive contribution towards ending this violence.”

The month of October is nationally recognized as a month to increase awareness about domestic violence.

“Although many people are unaware of it, violence against women is the single greatest health risk facing women in the U.S today,” Curtis said. “It has a greater impact on a greater number of American women than breast cancer. An average of two women are killed each week in the United States by the man they love.”

In the past, GC&SU has had a candlelight vigil ceremony to a acknowledge the women that were a product of domestic violence.

“Each year we have offered something different to increase awareness of the issue and to make a commitment to eliminating violence against all women. This has included candlelight vigils, showing of films, and university/community town hall discussions,” Curtis said.

Laura Russo, a sophomore, states that last year’s candlelight vigil was an unforgettable experience.

“Attending the ceremony last year was a really beautiful experience,” Russo said. “There was a strong sense of unity among the entire group, especially between the women who came to stand together against violence.”

Amanda O’Donnell, a GC&SU junior, was very impressed by last year’s ceremony.

“The students, faculty and community members all came together. I look forward to participating in this year’s event as well,” said O’Donnell.

However, due to the violent acts on Sept. 11, this year’s ceremony, will not only be for domestic violence but also as a commitment to a world free of violence.

“This year plans were being finalized for the event during the week of Sept. 11. While we knew our attention and that of the entire country was understandably focused on the violence of terrorism, we also knew that the issue of domestic violence against women continued to be a serious problem,” Curtis said. “As a result, we decided this year to set up luminaries on the GC&SU front campus on Oct. 17 in recognition of the impact of violence in women’s lives and in all of our lives, and in a commitment to a world free of violence for all.”

Domestic violence is not only a big issue nationwide but in Georgia as well.

According to the Georgia Department of Human Resources, a woman is physically abused every 9 seconds in this country. In Georgia alone, over 50,000 calls were made to domestic violence crisis lines.

Sarah Stiff, a junior, states that she is pleased with the university’s efforts in raising domestic violence awareness.

“It is great to know that our campus supports women’s rights through events like this. I am proud to be a part of a university that openly does not tolerate violence against women,” Stiff said.

This may seem shocking to some, but in Milledgeville alone, 800 victims sought assistance from the Solicitor General’s Office between Jan. and Oct. 2001.

“If violence against women has not touched your life personally, it may very well have had an impact in the life of a woman you know, a mother, a sister or a friend,” Curtis said.

For women seeking assistance or for others seeking assistance for a woman they know, please call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) or in Milledgeville 478-445-4445.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 5 2001. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry