As part of the California State University's effort to increase the visibility of its Civil Rights work, the CSU put a spotlight on various university events held in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
These events were designed to draw awareness to the issue of domestic violence, and to inform university community members of the resources available if they or someone they know needs support. Domestic violence is a particularly critical topic for awareness at the university level: According to the
National Domestic Violence Hotline, women between the ages of 18 to 34—the primary ages of the college-going population—generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.
The CSU events were organized and produced by numerous university offices including Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation offices; Survivor Advocacy Services; counseling and psychological services; and university women's centers.
The color purple—which is used to represent and memorialize domestic violence awareness and its survivors—featured prominently in events across the university system, with purple ribbons, purple tie-dye and purple T-shirt days. At multiple CSU campuses, the community was encouraged to wear purple on Thursdays in October to raise awareness and show support.
Many of these events also brought in community partners to showcase collaborative efforts.
At Cal State Fullerton, the university's Title IX Department hosted its 23rd Annual Violence Prevention Conference, which brought together the Title IX and Gender Equity office, faculty and staff members, and off-campus organizations to discuss an intersectional approach to sexual violence prevention efforts.
The university also partnered with Orange County nonprofit Human Options on a “Red and Green Flags in Relationships" event. The event was designed to bring awareness to “red flags" in relationships, while teaching college students what characteristics are found in healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships.
"Red and Green Flags in Relationships" event at Cal State Fullerton.
Red flags represent unhealthy relationships at CSUF's "Red and Green Flags in Relationships" event.
San Francisco State's
Women's Center held a “Clothesline Project" display to raise awareness of domestic violence and hosted a seminar called “What is Love?" with discussions about healthy relationships and resources.
At CSU San Marcos, the
HOPE & Wellness Center hosted a Domestic Awareness Violence Month tie-dye event, where community members made purple bags, shirts and scrunchies. At the event, staff members shared information about upcoming events as well as resources for healthy relationships. The center also held a Domestic Violence Awareness candlelight vigil and “speak out" event with survivor testimonies.
Participants tie-dye T-shirts at a CSUSM event.
Participants build a flower mandala at CSUSM's candlelight vigil and "speak out" event. (Photo courtesy Miguel Mota/CSUSM)
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's
Safer resource center hosted a month's worth of events, including screen printing tote bags and t-shirts, a craft circle, a Love Island movie night and a purple-themed self-care booth where participants got to take home a lavender sachet.
Sacramento State's
Office for Equal Opportunity hosted “Love Fest," a fair with campus and community partners who each offered an activity related to healthy, unhealthy and/or abusive relationships. Students who participated in eight activities received a free item at a food truck.
Participants share what love looks like on Post-It notes at Sacramento State's Love Fest.
Giveaways on an activity table at Sacramento State's Love Fest.
CSU San Bernardino's
Survivor Advocacy Services Peer Educators held workshops called “Breaking Barriers" and “Breathe Darling" on creating awareness and empowering survivors of domestic violence.
San José State's interdepartmental prevention committee (encompassing the
Gender Equity Center,
PRIDE Center, Student Conduct & Ethical Development, Student Involvement, Survivor Advocate, Office of Title IX, and
Student Wellness Center) recognized Intimate Partner & Domestic Violence Awareness Month with activities including a resource fair, a feminist self-defense class and a five-part ambassador training program to equip students with violence prevention skills.
Sonoma State's Office of Confidential Advocacy hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Craft & Resource Fair where students could write a note of encouragement to a survivor—and the Counseling & Psychological Services department helped students create “Mind Jars" to take with them. The university's Greek organizations also held a fundraiser with proceeds going to the Sonoma County YWCA. In addition, the university supported and promoted the Sonoma County YWCA's “Y I Walk/Run" fun run to raise awareness of domestic violence. All told, the Sonoma State organizations raised close to $1,000 for the YWCA.
The SJSU Conduct Crew during the resource fair.
Sonoma State runners at the YWCA's "Y I Walk/Run."
The
Women's Resource Center at CSU Dominguez Hills held a “Clothesline Project" event where survivors of relationship violence, abuse and/or sexual assault were invited to make a shirt sharing their story.
Fresno State's
Survivor Advocacy Services team recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a resource fair featuring campus and community tables. The
Student Health and Counseling Center also held a “Purple Thursday" campaign, asking community members to participate in National Wear Purple Day on October 17 to show support for survivors of domestic and dating violence. In their lobby, they displayed a host of resources and educational information.
Purple Thursday at Fresno State.
Resource table at the Fresno State Health Center.
CSU Channel Islands's
Inclusive Student Services and
Mental Health Peer Program held a “Bracelets of Unity" event making bracelets and keychains to raise awareness of domestic violence, support those affected and dispel myths.
Cal Poly Pomona's
Survivor Advocacy Services and Office of Equity and Compliance held a “Break the Cycle" event at the BRIC (Bronco Recreation & Intramural Complex) during which participants rode a stationary bike to “break the cycle" of domestic violence and wear purple to show support. In addition, the university held a “Put A Nail In It!" event when participants could paint their ring fingernail purple to raise awareness, as well as a Tie-Dye Tuesday event where people could tie-dye a bandana purple.
Participants ride stationary bikes during CPP's "Break the Cycle" event. (Photo courtesy Tom Zasadzinski/CPP)
CSU Bakersfield's
Office on Violence Against Women held a tabling event that encouraged students to paint rocks with supportive words or images relating to domestic violence awareness. Students were allowed to keep the rocks or donate them to the office to be displayed or given away for future events.
At Stanislaus State, the university's
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and
Basic Needs department partnered with local organization SJC PREVAIL to provide resources and information on domestic violence. The team also displayed life-sized wooden
“silent witness" silhouettes to represent individuals in San Joaquin County who lost their lives to domestic violence.
San Diego State hosted an art exhibit called “Healing Through Art: A Domestic Violence Awareness Gallery" that included an art display as well as interactive art activities.
SDSU's team at the "Healing Through Art: A Domestic Violence Awareness Gallery" exhibit.
Visitors to SDSU's "Healing Through Art: A Domestic Violence Awareness Gallery" exhibit build a paper chain.
The CSU will continue to highlight activities and events throughout the year to educate the community about the work of its Civil Rights and other support teams.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START" to 88788. Live chat resources are available at https://www.thehotline.org/.