DVAM (Domestic Violence Awareness Month)
This DVAM we are hosting two film showings and will be having several campus locations set up for the Silent Witness display.
In October every year, The Aurora Center joins local and national organizations in hosting events to raise awareness about relationship violence and to commemorate the women and children who have been killed by their husbands, intimate partners, and family members. This year we are focusing on sexual violence as a part of the bigger picture with relationship violence.
Date: Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Film Showing: No! Confronting Sexual Assault in Our Community by Aishah Shahidah Simmons
Time: 4:00 - 6:00pm
Location: not yet confirmed
Description: This film is about the impact of sexual violence on Black women and girls. As the incidents of violence and sexual assault continue on campuses and in communities across the country, this film can be used to support both women and men, regardless of race, as they learn to navigate the challenging terrain of sexuality --without violence. Created by an award-winning producer to shed light on the challenges and solutions to sexual assault in the African American community. NO! artfully combines socio-historical inquiry with messages from violence prevention advocates and first person testimonial from survivors. This film is the one tool you need to help students of all colors understand the complex dynamics of sexual assault.
Co-Sponsored by: The Aurora Center, The Women's Center, and Black Motivated Women.
Date: Tuesday, October 28th
Film Showing: The Line by Nancy Schwartzman
Time: 7:00pm
Location: President's Room in Coffman Union
PDf Flyer: The Line
Description: What happens to women when they express their sexuality? What is the line of consent? The Line explores the intersection of sexual identity, feminism and consent. The filmmakers’ personal experience of sexual assault in Jerusalem is the point of departure for this examination of women’s control of their bodies and command of public space.
Co-Sponsored by: Jewish Family Service Center, Hillel, Social Justice Leadership Retreat, SHADE, UDS, Coca Cola Activity Initiative, Women's Center, Black Motivated Women, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi.
And throughout the month of October 2008....
The Silent Witness Exhibit
The Silent Witness Exhibit is a display of figures representing Minnesota women and children who were killed as a result of domestic violence. Each figure is life size and tells each woman and child’s story including her age, date when she was killed, how she was killed and who was charged with the death.
DVAM Contact: Jerie Smith
Scope of the Issue
In short, relationship violence is a debilitating issue in our country and is a result of a complex societal problem of violence and its tolerance, gender inequality, racism, poverty, and homophobia, just to name a few of the many cultural and institutional sources. For victims, abuse by a partner can create anxiety, depression, confusion, and sadness. Abuse is often nonphysical and there are subtle forms of control that may lead to more severe forms of violence. It can be very difficult to leave the relationship so there are ways we can all support victims. It is in everyone’s best interests for all of us to intervene to help victims, treat abusers, advocate for more effective funding and legislation, and to prevent violence on an everyday basis.
Facts:
History
From: http://dvam.vawnet.org
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" in October 1981 conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels.
The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.