UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With October serving as national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Penn State and community partners like the Gender Equity Center and Centre County Women’s Resource Center are once again working together to raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence, as well as provide opportunities for students and the community to get more involved in prevention efforts and show support for survivors.
From Wear Purple Day to Light the Night, the month of programming offers various opportunities for people to reflect on domestic violence and take action in a positive way.
“When planning this month of important programming, we wanted to continue collaborations we have throughout the year and focus on domestic violence in ways that will prompt critical thinking about this issue and allow people to think of ways they can help in prevention efforts,” said Jennifer Pencek, programming coordinator of the Gender Equity Center, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs. “We encourage people to participate in as many events as they can to not just learn more, but also to show those around us that we support survivors.”
Upcoming programming surrounding Domestic Violence Awareness Month will include:
- Empty Place at the Table: Oct. 7 at Super Fair of Centre County throughout October at the four YMCA branches; an exhibit organized by Centre County Women’s Resource Center to honor and remember those in our community who were killed as a result of domestic violence.
- Wear Purple Day: On Oct. 19, wear purple — the color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month — and use this as a way to tell others why ending domestic violence is important to you, #PurpleThursday.
- The Clothesline Project: Week of Oct. 23 at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center; a visual display organized by Gender Equity Center to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence.
- Empty Place at the Table: Week of Oct. 23 at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center; an exhibit organized by Centre County Women’s Resource Center and Gender Equity Center to honor and remember those in our community who were killed as a result of domestic violence.
- Light the Night: 7 p.m. Oct. 26 on Old Main Lawn; an illuminated visual display lighting the lawn of Old Main in honor of survivors. Sponsored by Gender Equity Center, Centre County Women’s Resource Center, Panhellenic Council, and Residence Life.
For more information on domestic violence and ways to become involved in prevention efforts, visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/genderequity or ccwrc.org.
Other notable upcoming events include:
- Jill Biden: 8 p.m. Oct. 10, Eisenhower Auditorium. Event is free but tickets are required — visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/genderequity for information. Event is sponsored by the Gender Equity Center, Student Programming Association Distinguished Speaker Series, and Penn State World Campus. Biden’s lecture will address how women can use their voices to make change and support their communities.