This Tuesday the Women’s Center at EMU sponsored a discussion called “No Strings Attached: A Survivors Perspective.” Many people are aware that this month is Outober and Breast Cancer awareness month, but few realize its also Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Women’s Center program coordinator Jess Klein and women and gender studies lecturer Jess Kilbourn were the co-facilitators of this Q&A event which was trying to get the EMU community educated about this important topic.
“So many people are in domestic violent relationships that don’t realize or know and need help. It is important to make it known that domestic violence is a people issue not just a woman’s issue,” said lecturer Jess Kilbourn.
The name “No Strings Attached” comes from an activity during the lecture. Ten volunteers were chosen and given random parts in a real life scenario. One person was asked to play the survivor and everyone had a string that was attached to her. She went around to the other nine people and asked “I am sick of this abusive relationship please help me.”
And every person in that woman’s life from the priest, mother, sibling and doctor said no. Every time someone said no they dropped the string they were holding that was attached to her. In the end the survivor only had herself.
“The point of the name of this show is to realize that you could be that person’s last string and after you they only have the offender,” explained Jess Klein, coordinator of the women’s program at EMU.
This lecture answered many questions such as “Why does the person stay if the aggressor is so abusive?” Some of the responses too those questions were “dependence, nowhere to go, self blame and love. The response you are suppose to give when a person comes to you is too be kind, non-judging and do not make the person feel guilty.
“The attendance of the event just shows the interest and concern and the want to become educated and active,” said Kilbourn.
The event was a huge success and many people participated in asking questions and generally becoming interested in this human topic.
“I love when people get together to be a positive movement,” said senior computer science major Tayan Jackson. “There needs to be more programs like this on campus.”
The discussion was insightful, stimulating and empowering. Men and woman alike were participating with stories, experiences and real life fear. The Women’s Center would like to remind everyone that it is always available and equipped to help handle Domestic Violence cases, gay or straight.
