Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) at Drexel
In the United States, October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). During this month, individuals, organizations, and communities are called upon to raise awareness for domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and all types of relationship violence – physical, mental, emotional, financial, and beyond – and to promote methods for prevention. EIC, in collaboration with other Drexel departments and organizations, is building a robust calendar of events for October 2023. You are encouraged to join your peers and colleagues at any event, and to learn more about DVAM at the National Network to End Domestic Violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a trusted friend or resource – contact an RA, talk to someone in the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture (EIC) or write a report directly, or connect with Drexel Public Safety's Victim Services Coordinator, Amy Spiller, at als528@drexel.edu.
Sport & Support
Wednesday, Oct. 4, Lancaster Walk, 12-5 p.m.
Audience: All
Stop by to design your own pair of purple socks and show that you support survivors of DV. Socks are available while supplies last!
(Learn on) Purple Thursday
Thursday, Oct. 5, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Lancaster Walk
Audience: All
On Thursdays, we wear purple. Are you wearing your purple today? Take a few moments to learn more about relationship violence in our community and around the world. And make sure to grab a purple ribbon!
“Stick It” to DV and IPV
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Lancaster Walk
Audience: All
Help us raise awareness about and show others you “stick it” to domestic violence by making your own button. Or, if you’re short on time, grab a sticker to put on your laptop, tablet, shirt or hand.
(Promote on) Purple Thursday
Thursday, Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Lancaster Walk
Audience: All
On Thursdays, we wear purple! Do you have what it takes to sport some purple? Stop by for a quick purple makeover. Violence is not always visible, so help us visually raise awareness for what cannot always be seen.
Looking Out for Our Dragons
Friday, Oct. 13, 2-4 p.m., Lancaster Walk
Audience: All
Come learn about the “Red Zone,” domestic and intimate partner violence prevention, and campus safety with SECRET Drexel. SECRET members will be handing out “Party Safety Checklists,” pins, purple ribbons, stickers and snacks. The team will also be sharing peer support resources and offering discussions about involvement in the fight against relationship violence on college campuses. Stop by to learn how to keep our Dragons safe!
We Support You
Monday, Oct. 16, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 33rd and Arch Streets (by the volleyball court)
Audience: All
If you or someone you know is experiencing some form of relationship violence, there is support on campus and beyond. Come meet Amy Spiller, Victim Services Coordinator with DUPD and EIC to learn more about the resources we offer and how we can help.
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: A Real-life Discussion
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 4-5 p.m., Zoom
Audience: Graduate students and Drexel employees
Join domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) experts, EIC Case Manager Valeria Tirado and EIC Investigator Gina Del Rio Gazzo, for a brief presentation about the signs of relationship violence and how you can be a support system. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and take the opportunity to learn more about how relationship violence affects individuals and how it's viewed from beyond the relationship.
Please note that registration is required, but individuals can register up until the time of the event. Alternatively, if your schedule changes and you are no longer able to attend, there is nothing you need to do, but you can simply delete the event from your calendar, if you wish.
(Support on) Purple Thursday
Thursday, Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m.-2p.m., Lancaster Walk
Audience: All
On Thursdays, we wear purple. Are you showing your support today? Leaving a violent relationship or coping with the aftereffects can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Take a moment to leave an anonymous note for those who have survived or who may currently be in a violent relationship.
Support Drexel's Women’s Soccer Lady Dragons
Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-8 p.m., Vidas Field
Audience: all
Support our Women’s Soccer Lady Dragons, as they sport their highlight of DVAM Purple, as they take on the UNC Wilmington Seahawks on our home turf.
Spooky Sweets and Awareness Treats: Sigmas Against Domestic Violence
Friday, Oct. 20, 12-4 p.m., Mario Statue (33rd and Market)
Audience: All
Trick or treat! Celebrate Halloween while supporting the Nu Chapter of Sigma Psi Zeta as we raise awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Enjoy a bag of Halloween-themed goodies as well as drink covers. 15% of proceeds will be donated to Women Against Abuse, a Philadelphia non-profit that assists survivors with safe havens, transitional housing, and legal support. Visit SYZ’s Instagram @drexelsigmas to learn more about this event.
Helping & Supporting: A DV Workshop
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7-8:30 p.m., Pearlstein Learning Center 202
Audience: Students
The women of Sigma Psi Zeta invite you to learn more about relationship violence, how you can help, what you can do, and what relationship violence looks like in our culture. Participate in this informative workshop and discussion, presented by Drexel's Assistant Director for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Education, Kristin Vitacco.
(Act on) Purple Thursday
Thursday, Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Lancaster Walk
Audience: All
The final Purple Thursday! Be sure to sport that purple all day. Stand up and support DV and IPV survivors by learning some quick and simple active bystander tactics. Be a force for good and help show that love doesn’t hurt.
Silent Witness Week
Oct. 23-30, all around campus
On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. In Philadelphia, more than 12,000 petitions for Protection From Abuse Orders were sought in 2021. Even more staggering, 43 people were killed by domestic violence in Philadelphia in 2021 - a more than doubling of domestic violence murders from the year before, and the largest number known to date.**
In 1990, a group of women artists and writers, alarmed by the growing number of women in Minnesota being murdered by their partners or acquaintances, felt an urgency to do something that would speak out against the escalating domestic violence in their state. To commemorate the lives of the 26 women who had been murdered that year as a result of domestic violence, they created 26 free-standing, life-sized red wooden figures, each one bearing the name of a woman who once lived, worked, had neighbors, friends, family, children – whose life ended violently at the hands of a husband, ex-husband, partner or acquaintance. A twenty-seventh figure was added to represent those uncounted women whose murders went unsolved or were erroneously ruled accidental. The organizers called the figures the "Silent Witnesses."
When you see a red figure somewhere on campus, take a moment to read and learn more about relationship violence nationally and right here in our community.
**NCADV and WAA, 2021