SAVVY!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Check out what a nearby University is doing in an effort to address the issue!

Clothesline project raises awareness
By Sonia Mugabo
Zach Spaulding

This year marks the third annual Clothesline Project hosted at Buena Vista University (BVU). This project was originally started in Cape Cod, Massachusetts during the year 1990.

Created in an effort to address the issue of violence against women, the project has spread all over the country including throughout the Storm Lake Community and the BVU campus.

In previous years, the Clothesline Project has been sponsored by different organizations around campus.

Last year, Dana Calandrino, Resident Director of Pierce and White Halls, organized the project for the Purple Star Campaign. The year before that, it was organized by a special interest suite concerned about social consciousness.

This year the Project will be co-sponsored by two campus organizations: Students Against a Violent Environment (SAVE) and Amnesty International (AI).

The Clothesline Project booth was up all week, Monday to Friday, and addressed the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as child abuse through the use of T-shirts. The Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault (CAASA) in Storm Lake provided the T-shirts. The shirts were designed by survivors of abuse or by others who are concerned with this issue.

To promote this event, T-shirts with the saying “We love consensual sex” are also being sold for the price of $5. The money received from the t-shirt sales will be given to the student organization of SAVE.

Additionally, purple bracelets that say, “Save Lives, Erase Violence” will be available to purchase.

The profit from the bracelets will be given to CAASA (Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault).

The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Seniors Chloe Bishop and Renee Fagen who are co-presidents of SAVE thought this project would be an ideal awareness-building event to start off the month of October.

This project will help educate students and the BVU community about the violence around the world.

“These topics are taboo in our society; an ironic situation since sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse are so prevalent. Nobody wants to talk about the violence that’s happening, but the reality is that it will never end until we do,” Bishop said.

Bishop emphasizes how important it is for survivors of domestic violence to speak out about their experiences and for others to listen to their stories.

“If you’re a survivor, make sure you tell someone you’re story, whether to a friend, a family member, the police or a counselor. And if you know someone who is a survivor, be supportive. Listen to their story and always let them know you are there for them. Most importantly, do not be silent. Speak out against the violence that’s happening,” Bishop said.

To view the original article, visit:
http://www.ucbvu.com/news/clothesline-project-raises-awareness-1.625170

Hello everyone!!

We are excited to be gearing up for our Fall Basic Workshop! We hope to have a big turn out of both new and returning students this year! Our workshop will be held Friday, September 25-Sunday, September 27. It is free to participants, as we are funded by a federal grant to prevent violence against women.

Our workshops are experience-based, so we have a variety of activities that get you involved! We learn about sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking and what we can all do to help prevent them from happening.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in the cause, please visit http://orgs.usd.edu/savvy or email us savvy@usd.edu to register for the workshop!

We do not see women as potential victims, but as allies. We do not see men as potential perpetrators, but as allies. Become a SAVVY! ally!