October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). For VPVA (Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance), October is a time to focus on awareness and advocacy for survivors and loved ones who have been affected by domestic and partner violence. According to RU-N students, psychological abuse is most commonly experienced, and 57% of students in a romantic relationship reported experiencing at least 1 incident of partner violence. Whether we realize it or not, we all know a survivor.
Every October, VPVA aims to turn Rutgers-Newark purple; the official color of DVAM; through visual campaigns and education. VPVA provides free, confidential services to any student who has been affected by interpersonal violence, and this month is our opportunity to educate our campus community, and we encourage you to support survivors as well.
Below, please find VPVA’s events for October, open to students, staff and faculty.
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On Wednesday October 5, we ask that you join us in supporting survivors by Turning Our Campus Purple! Attend a virtual space with a purple background, come to campus wearing something purple, or visit our table in the Paul Robeson Campus Center from 11:00am – 3:00pm to pick up some resources and purple swag!
Take a picture of yourself, your friends, and/or your department and tag us @run_vpva on Instagram and Facebook with the #DVAM2022, or email your photos to run.vpva@rutgers.edu -
PIZZA and FRIES Consent Workshop: Students are invited to join VPVA and our student group It’s On Us for an interactive series on relationships, consent, and communication. Wednesday October 5, 12 & 19 from 2:30pm-4:00pm in PRCC Bergen 255
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Trauma Informed Care: Staff and faculty are invited to a virtual workshop on Trauma Informed Care, to better understand their reporting mandate and learn how to support a student who has experienced interpersonal violence. Open to all faculty and staff members- REGISTER HERE! Friday, October 14, from 10:00am – 11:00am
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Espresso Yourself: We welcome you to join us for an immersive game experience that invites you to step into the shoes of a survivor of domestic/partner violence, and navigate the barriers and challenges they have to leaving and reporting. Please come with a mobile device to participate. Monday, October 24, from 11:30am – 1:00pm in PRCC Bergen 255
- Finally, from October 10 – 21, we invite you to visit our Survivor Flag Project located in the grassy area on Samuels Plaza. We will place 1,336 white flags as a tribute to each individual on this campus who will statistically experience domestic/partner violence each year. If you identify as a survivor yourself, you may choose to place a purple flag next to any white one in an act of solidarity. We see you and we believe you.
