Domestic Violence is an issue affecting millions of women and girls every year, including UW-Madison students. Women ages 16 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence from an intimate partner, and one in four women are victims of sexual assault within her lifetime. The most concerning fact related to domestic violence? Most cases are never reported, because 90% of victims of assault know their attacker, and may not wish to ‘out’ her perpetrator. Women on college campuses are at especially high risk of sexual assault and abuse, but may question what constitutes as “sexual assault,” and are discouraged to report their assault and seek follow-up care. The University urges students to take advantage of DAIS, the 24-hour crisis line (608-251-4445), which provides victims with advocacy and crisis response to domestic and dating violence.
UW College students are mobilizing to raise awareness about this pressing issue, and are using this month to bring attention to this critical problem. PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment) will hold events throughout October for students to attend:
Oct. 11: To demonstrate to the campus community how significant of a problem dating violence is at UW–Madison, PAVE will construct a Bascom Hill display comprised of pledge forms signed by students. In signing the pieces of paper, students are pledging to support victims of violence.
Oct. 13: Domestic Violence in the Media workshop, 7 p.m., Vilas 4008
Oct. 19: The Yellow Dress, 7 p.m., Humanities 112
This dramatic one-woman play highlights the warning signs of domestic violence, including a performance, post-show discussion and teaching materials
Oct. 25: Film screening and discussion: “Waitress,” 7 p.m. Contact PAVE for location.
Additionally, the EVOC (End Violence on Campus) Initiative, has created a series of short YouTube videos that address sexual assault and domestic violence on the UW campus, which can be viewed at EVOC’s Youtube page here: http://www.youtube.com/uwevoc