KRYSTYNA PORTUGUES-KLOS
Special to The Leader
Over 12 million men and women face domestic abuse every year.
This is a silent issue on campus no longer, as the Black Student Union of Fredonia held a walk for domestic violence on campus on Oct. 28.
The event, coordinated by Tnyas Catalan, a senior business marketing major, and David White, the director of the office of Multicultural Services, was successful at bringing awareness and making voices heard regarding domestic violence.
Domestic violence is when a partner uses violence to gain control over the other partner in a relationship. A large issue that often goes unnoticed, it can be hard for victims to notice the red flags of their abusers and leave the dangerous situation.
Sometimes victims even blame themselves for the abuser’s actions. Excuses are often made and there can be threats involved in order to keep victims silent.
Prior to this year, Take Back the Night was an event hosted by the Fredonia Feminists to bring awareness to domestic violence as well.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Blue Lounge was covered in the color purple, showing support for those who have previously or are currently experiencing domestic violence.
Posters decorated the walls with phrases like “never a victim forever a fighter” and “love shouldn’t hurt,” showing the support and positive energy of the event.
Shirts were sold for $18, with the money made going to local support agencies.
The walk started at 10 a.m. at the Williams Center Blue Lounge, went to the clock tower, and then back to the Blue Lounge.
During the walk, empowering chants of “stop the violence, no more silence. Let’s fight back!” rang through the streets as a group of 58 supporters marched on campus.
After the walk, there were guest speakers who came to share resources available in neighboring towns and stories of empowerment.
Kristina Catalan shared her experiences and how she survived domestic violence, changing her life for her three children and creating a better future for herself.
As an inspirational message of courage and survival, she exclaimed, “your life, your respect, your dignity matters.” The president of Black Student Union, Shanty, stated, “We have to acknowledge domestic violence not as a second problem but as a grave violation of human rights.”
She also talked about the WARM (We All Really Matter) Organization. They help victims of domestic abuse and promote individuals’ recovery all over the world.
Elizabeth McElwain, a guest speaker from The Salvation Army Anew Center in Jamestown, informed attendees about the resources available at the Center.
Speaking with Tnyas Catalan after the event, she stated that, “Even if one person took away [something] from the event today, it would be a success because that is making a difference.”
She also gave some advice for preventing domestic violence: “If you see red flags, step away, don’t keep making excuses.”
Tnyas Catalan and White hope that this event will be an annual one hosted by the Black Student Union.
Shirts from the event can be purchased online or through contacting White at david.white@fredonia.edu.
The Salvation Army Anew Center can be reached at (716) 661-3897 and the 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 1-800-252-8748. Counseling services on campus are also available at the Counseling Center located in LoGrasso Hall.