October is domestic violence awareness month on the Nicholls campus as well as all across the United States. “The goal on campus this month is to raise awareness of domestic violence and provide people with information about the dynamics of it,” Sabrina Laurent, coordinator of Women’s Resource Services, said. “Domestic violence knows no boundaries.”
Abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. Abuse can come in many forms, a few that often go unrecognized.
“The hit, that a lot of people define domestic abuse as being, is absolutely part of it,” Laurent said. “At the same time, there’s also emotional, verbal, physical and sexual abuse that all encompass what domestic violence is.”
Approximately 33 million people in the United States have been a victim of domestic violence at some point in their lives, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Women’s Resource Services is putting on many events this month to help raise awareness on campus and in the community about domestic violence.
The main event is the candlelight vigil, made possible by a partnership between Women’s Resource Services and the Thibodaux branch of Chez Hope, a family violence crisis center.
The vigil will begin with a meet and greet information session on domestic violence awareness, followed by a presentation of guest speakers from the community. The end of the vigil is a candle lighting on the steps of the Student Union. This is when Louisianans who have lost their lives to domestic violence are recognized and remembered.
Guest speakers for the candlelight vigil include representatives from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Thibodaux Police Department; the district attorney who handles most of the domestic violence cases will speak in regards to prosecution. A representative from the Mayor’s office is also scheduled to read a proclamation declaring October as domestic violence awareness month.
Many Nicholls organizations will also be present at the vigil.
“We have representatives from Women Involved in Self Empowerment speaking, as well as members of the Student Educators and Leaders group showing their support,” Laurent said. “Many campus departments will be there as well, like the University Police and members of the Counseling Center and Student Services.”
Laurent has been involved with the candlelight vigil for the past eight years and says attendance has increased every year, with last year having over 200 people present.
“We have more people that come to hear (our speakers), and we have a lot of community agencies that come in, which brings community members to the vigil as well,” Laurent said.
There are many other events planned on campus for domestic violence awareness as well.
For example, a series of information tables will be spread out over the course of the month in the Student Union with information regarding domestic violence.
There was also a Clothes Line project, held on Oct. 12 in the residence halls to help raise awareness of the different types of violence. Participants were provided with materials to make differently colored T-shirts, each representing a particular form of violence. These shirts will be present at all other domestic violence events on campus and can currently be viewed in the Student Union. Laurent calls this project a “silent witness project,” because there is no need for words; the shirts tell the message.
Other events to help raise awareness are “Hands are for Hugging, not Hurting” and the White Ribbon Campaign. The males on campus are the primary focus of both of these events. Both projects ask that men show their presence on campus by signing a pledge to not use their hands, their voice or their words to hurt anyone.
Anyone wanting to get involved with the Women’s Resource Services on campus or any of their upcoming events can call the Women’s Resource Services office at (985) 448-4470 or Student Services at (985) 448-4080.
“If somebody wants to be involved, we’ll find something for them to do,” Laurent said.
