Friday, December 8, 2023

UTSA hosts events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

UTSA hosts events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Students march through Main Campus as part of the Take Back the Night event.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 — UTSA is raising awareness of the impact of domestic violence in October to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Established in October 1987 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the month features events aimed at connecting advocates across the United States to end domestic violence while raising awareness. This year’s national theme is #WeAreResilient.

Throughout the month, UTSA and its PEACE Center will host several events offering resources to the Roadrunner community. Topics range from self-help and self-defense to healthy relationships, consent and how to end the violence.

“The events hosted by the PEACE Center provide important awareness about issues impacting our campus community and offer training for students, staff and faculty to become active bystanders in the fight to prevent abuse,” said LT Robinson, senior vice provost for student affairs and dean of students.

The PEACE Center, established in 2018, is part of UTSA’s initiative on Sexual Violence Prevention and Support to expand the staffing and resources needed to address sexual misconduct prevention and offer victim advocacy services at UTSA.

Empty Place at the Table, throughout October

In the most poignant and visual manner, this exhibit reveals the devastating results of violence against women and children and how domestic violence undeniably leaves an “Empty Place at the Table.” The goal of this exhibit is to honor the lives of victims from the San Antonio and Bexar County area who died from domestic violence. It will also raise awareness about the issue and the impact this crime has on families and community.

This exhibit will be displayed for the entire month of October in the following dining locations on the UTSA Main Campus: the Roadrunner Café, the Student Union Food Court and the JPL Food Court

National Night Out, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 4, Student Union Paseo

National Night Out takes place along the Student Union Paseo on the first Tuesday in October to promote safety on campus. This year, the PEACE Center will be asking participants to make a pledge to not use their hands for hitting by placing a handprint on the Hands are Not for Hitting banner that will be displayed at Take Back the Night. 

Wellbeing Wednesdays, beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 12, 19, and 26, McKinney Humanities Portico 

Join Wellbeing Services Peer Educators and the PEACE Center each Wednesday to learn about the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wellbeing Mental Health peer advocates and interns will pass out purple ribbons and give out information about healthy relationships and DVAM events throughout the month.   

Green Dot Bystander Overview, 1-2:30 p.m., Friday, October 7 and 28, Virtual

Join the PEACE Center over zoom for this 90-minute engaging, interactive overview introducing the basic elements of Green Dot and the issues of power-based personal violence prevention. The training will help participants recognize behaviors that constitute red dots, reduce the possibility of red dots happening by introducing green dot interventions and recognize personal barriers preventing intervention.

Coffee & Consent, Beginning at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 11, Student Union Willow Room (SU 2.02.12) 

Enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee while the PEACE Center discusses consent and the consent contract.

Art of Wellbeing, 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, Rec Wellness Center (RWC 1.806)

Looking for a safe space to create or decompress? Join Wellbeing Services and the PEACE Center to make posters for Take Back the Night. All supplies will be provided.   

UTSA PD Self Defense Class, 5:50-7:40 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, Rec Wellness Center Blue Studio (RWC 2.210)

Join the UTSA PD as officers teach participants simple self-defense movements and safety tips to keep themselves safe.

 

Take Back the Night, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 18, Sombrilla Plaza

Join the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services in the Sombrilla Plaza for an evening of survivor support and reaffirm your commitment to end violence on campus. The evening will include an empowerment march through campus, guest speakers, a campus and community resource fair and an open microphone for survivors to speak out against the violence they have experienced. Plus, a new domestic violence display will be revealed before the survivor speak out. 

Campus Rec Center’s Pound Class, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 20; Campus Recreation Courtyard Patio

Participants will pound out their frustrations to rocking music and get a new mindset along the way.

Giving Voice, noon-4 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, Student Union Window Lounge

Join the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services as we give a voice to survivors of domestic violence through art, poetry, and survivors' stories. 

Restorative Yoga with Sound Healing, 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, and Thursday, October 27, Rowdy Studio in Recreation Wellness Center.

Taking time for yourself for healing and self-care is so important to your wellbeing.  The event will also take place at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, and Thursday, October 27, in the Rowdy Studio. Register on the Campus Rec website.

Tough Guise, 1-3 p.m., Thursday, October 27, Student Union Willow Room (SU 2.02.12) 

Join the PEACE Center as participants explore Tough Guise by Jackson Katz with guided discussion on a theme surrounding domestic violence. 


EXPLORE FURTHER
Learn more about the PEACE Center
Visit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence site for more info on Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Little Black Dress, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, October 29, Denman Room (SU 2.01.28)

Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority Inc. will be hosting its annual Philanthropy event Little Black Dress to raise awareness of domestic violence against women.

Sex Talk 2.0, 2-5 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, Denman Room (SU 2.01.28)

Have questions about sexual health but never knew how to ask them? Want an anonymous way to ask sexual health questions? Sex Talk is a safe space where participants can submit questions anonymously and have them answered by UTSA’s panel of Wellbeing Educators. Don’t worry about people knowing who is asking questions; the auditorium will be dark.

Valerie Bustamante Johnson



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of The University of Texas at San Antonio.

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UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.


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