UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With October serving as national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Penn State and community partners like the Gender Equity Center and Centre Safe are once again 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.
From Empty Place at the Table and the Clothesline Project, to a visit by #MuteRKelly creator Kenyette Tisha Barnes and "Riverdale" actress and domestic violence survivor Robin Givens, the month of programming offers various opportunities for people to reflect on domestic and relationship violence and take action in a positive way.
“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 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 a discussion with Kenyette Tisha Barnes and Robin Givens serving as our keynote speakers for the month, we encourage people to participate in as many events as they can and show those around us that we support survivors.”
The month’s events include:
- The Clothesline Project — To be held the week of Oct. 14 at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, a visual display organized by Gender Equity Center to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence.
- Empty Place at the Table — To be held the week of Oct. 14 at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, an exhibit organized by Centre Safe to honor and remember those in our community who were killed as a result of domestic violence.
- Kenyette Tisha Barnes and Robin Givens — 8 p.m. Oct. 10, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. Kenyette Tisha Barnes is the creator of the #MuteRKelly movement. Robin Givens is a domestic violence survivor (Givens is the ex-wife of boxer Mike Tyson and currently stars on the hit TV show "Riverdale"). Both speak on this panel as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event is free but requires tickets, which will be available in 226 HUB-Robeson Center and 204 Boucke Building; available in both locations starting Monday, Sept. 30. this event is sponsored by the Gender Equity Center and Student Programming Association (SPA).
- Light the Night — 7 p.m. Oct. 14 on Old Main lawn. An illuminated visual display lighting the lawn of Old Main in honor of survivors, "Light the Night" is sponsored by the Gender Equity Center, Stand for State, the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development, and Centre Safe.
For more information on domestic violence and ways to become involved in prevention efforts, visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/genderequity or ccwrc.org.