2008 Woodie Awards
Domestic Violence Awareness month acknowledged by Women's Center
Hannah Severtson
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Features
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"The first time it happened, I was about 14. My boyfriend saw me at a movie with some friends. The next day he slapped me across the face and told me I should not go out without them. After that, he hit me so often, I began to make up lies about the bruises."
The scenario above describes an anonymous female's experience of relationship abuse.
According to the West Chester University Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Committee, dating violence is a relationship that is abusive, whether the abuse is physical, verbal, sexual or psychological. It includes two individuals struggling with the issue of power and control in a relationship. Dating violence usually occurs after two people become seriously involved, but it may even occur on the first date.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and the Women's Center held a program on Oct. 1 entitled "Real Talk about Dating Abuse." The center is also sponsoring the relationship support group and has ongoing programs that raise awareness regarding domestic violence, Robin Garrett, assistant professor of nursing and women's studies and director of the Women's Center, said.
"It is important for college students to recognize that dating abuse is part of domestic violence," Garrett said.
The WCU Women's Center is sponsoring a relationship support group. The group will meet Mondays at 8 p.m. in room 220 in Lawrence Hall.
"The group will focus on three main components that include safety, openness and confidentiality," said Emily Herber, a WCU graduate student who will facilitate the meetings.
Each meeting will be similarly structured. There will be an introduction session, a discussion and, if time permits, an informal healing exercise, according to Herber.
Herber is currently a clinical psychology major and volunteer at the Women's Center. She has completed more than 60 hours of training and has more than a year of experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
The scenario above describes an anonymous female's experience of relationship abuse.
According to the West Chester University Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Committee, dating violence is a relationship that is abusive, whether the abuse is physical, verbal, sexual or psychological. It includes two individuals struggling with the issue of power and control in a relationship. Dating violence usually occurs after two people become seriously involved, but it may even occur on the first date.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and the Women's Center held a program on Oct. 1 entitled "Real Talk about Dating Abuse." The center is also sponsoring the relationship support group and has ongoing programs that raise awareness regarding domestic violence, Robin Garrett, assistant professor of nursing and women's studies and director of the Women's Center, said.
"It is important for college students to recognize that dating abuse is part of domestic violence," Garrett said.
The WCU Women's Center is sponsoring a relationship support group. The group will meet Mondays at 8 p.m. in room 220 in Lawrence Hall.
"The group will focus on three main components that include safety, openness and confidentiality," said Emily Herber, a WCU graduate student who will facilitate the meetings.
Each meeting will be similarly structured. There will be an introduction session, a discussion and, if time permits, an informal healing exercise, according to Herber.
Herber is currently a clinical psychology major and volunteer at the Women's Center. She has completed more than 60 hours of training and has more than a year of experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
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