October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the University of Wyoming has held a number of events to raise awareness.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) first began as a “day of unity” against domestic violence in October 1981.
According to the webpage on DVAM from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it, and to uplift survivor stories and provide additional resources to leaders and policymakers.”
As for resources offered here on campus, Bob Vines Jr., UW’s new Violence Prevention Coordinator said, “During Domestic Violence Awareness month we focus on bringing awareness to all intimate partner violence (IPV) which includes domestic violence and dating violence.”
Events on campus included a lunch and learn with SAFE project and the violence prevention office, as well as the Green Dot day of action, which encouraged folks to sign up for Green Dot violence prevention training, which will be occurring next on Nov. 2, 2023.
“The 2023 University of Wyoming Sexual Misconduct Climate Report showed us that 20% of females, eight percent of males, and 22% of transgender, gender-variant, and/or non-binary reported to have experienced some form of IPV,” said Vines, when asked about the importance of holding events honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month on the UW campus and within the university community.
“Although these numbers are indicative of national trends and are considerably lower than the last time we did the survey, we still need to keep our focus,” said Vines.
Everyone can help protect themselves and those around them from IPV.
“Be aware of the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, not only for your personal safety, but for the safety of your fellow students and co-workers. When something feels off, don’t ignore it,” Vines Said.
“Help [those around you] navigate the difficult process of getting help.”
Additionally, projects like UW Green Dot promote awareness around domestic violence awareness not only through their student and faculty training but through their annual day of action. This year, they held their day of action on Oct. 26, 2023, encouraging the campus to wear not only their Green Dot gear to promote violence prevention and bystander intervention, but to also wear purple to support those victims of domestic violence in solidarity.
