October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Women’s Resource Center is holding a series of events over the next few weeks to raise awareness of domestic violence and offer solutions to those suffering from it.
“Domestic violence isn’t just the physical aspect – you can be emotionally abusive or verbally abusive,” said Simone Dixon, A WRC staff member. “Domestic violence as a whole encompasses power and control. It isn’t just a problem of a man abusing a woman.”
According to Dixon, it’s hard to determine how much of a problem domestic violence is on campus, although she said she believes EMU as a whole is far too caring to tolerate outright physical abuse.
“I’m not going to say I’ve seen a guy or a girl manhandle their significant other around campus, or smack them around campus blatantly,” Dixon said. “But certain things will slip by like someone talking to their partner in a certain kind of tone that makes them feel uncomfortable. I would say that happens. I’ve seen it done myself.”
Dixon added that despite its name, the WRC offers help to all people suffering from domestic violence including men and members of the transgender community.
“It’s a safe space for women and men as well,” Dixon said.
WRC is located in room 356 of the Student Center and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We offer a lot services,” Dixon said. “Pretty much if it’s a women’s issue we can help you take care of it or find information.”
The center is holding a “No Strings Attached: Barriers to Receiving Help” program, hosted by Program Coordinator Ellen Collier in room 310B of the Student Center on Monday, Oct. 14 from 7-9 p.m. Guests can come to be a part of an interactive discussion that explores the barriers that many domestic violence victims suffer from when trying to get help and what you can do to help a survivor. The event is LBC approved.
