Editor’s note: This story will be updated as new events are scheduled. Penn State news and event submissions can be emailed to DiversityEvents@psu.edu.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October offers various opportunities for people to reflect on domestic and relationship violence and take action in a positive way. Penn State and community partners are working together to raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic and relationship violence, as well as provide opportunities for students and the community to get more involved in prevention efforts and show support for survivors.
The following is a list of events scheduled to take place on the University Park campus throughout October.
Empty Place at the Table
— An exhibit organized by Centre Safe (formerly the Centre County Women’s Resource Center) to honor and remember those in the community who have been killed as a result of domestic violence. The exhibit will be held:
- The week of Oct. 8 at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
- Oct. 15-19 at Webster’s Bookstore in State College, Pennsylvania.
- Throughout October at the four YMCA branches (State College, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Moshannon Valley).
The Clothesline Project
— A visual display organized by Penn State’s Gender Equity Center to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, to be held during the week of Oct. 8 at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
Steps to Safety 5K Run/Walk
— 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, Penn State Blue/White Golf Courses. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. This annual event benefits Centre Safe. More information is available here.
Taylor Armstrong
— 8 p.m. Oct. 15, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. Former star of the reality-television show “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Armstrong wrote “Hiding from Reality: My Story of Love, Loss, and Finding the Courage Within,” an autobiographical account of her life and experience with domestic violence. More information is available here.
The event is free but requires tickets, which are available for students now and for non-students starting Oct. 8. Pick up tickets in 226 HUB-Robeson Center, the Gender Equity Center office (204 Boucke), or by emailing spa.lectures@gmail.com. This event is sponsored by the Gender Equity Center and the Student Programming Association.
Light the Night
— 7 p.m. Oct. 22 on Old Main Lawn. An illuminated visual display lighting the lawn of Old Main in honor of survivors; sponsored by the Gender Equity Center, Centre Safe and the Panhellenic Council.
“Domestic and relationship violence is incredibly prevalent in our society and impacts people of all ages and demographics,” said Jennifer Pencek, programming coordinator of the Gender Equity Center, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs. “We wanted to build on relationships with important resources like Centre Safe and develop a month of programming that would prompt critical thinking and allow people to think of ways they can help in prevention efforts.
“By incorporating visual displays to honor and remember those impacted by domestic violence, to Taylor Armstrong serving as our keynote speaker for the month, we encourage people to participate in as many events as they can and show those around us that we support survivors.”
For more information on domestic violence, and ways to become involved in prevention efforts, please visit the Gender Equity Center or and Centre Safe websites.
Penn State is committed to eliminating sexual assault and misconduct, and all forms of harassment, on campus. Resources available to University community members include centers, medical services, counseling services, advocacy services, and police and safety services.