UA Women’s Resource Center Holds Events For Domestic Violence Awareness Month

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is holding various activities and events across campus throughout October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The activities, which include self-defense classes and a circulation of a petition, are designed to raise awareness and support for the struggle against domestic violence. All events are open to the public.

Throughout the month, Rape Aggression Defense training, or R.A.D., will be offered to students, faculty, staff and community members. The purpose of R.A.D. is to empower women through self-defense.

The training will consist of four, three-hour sessions on Oct. 9, 11, 16 and 18, in Tutwiler Hall, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The first session will focus on education and awareness, and the following three sessions will emphasize the physical component of self-defense. Comfortable dress is recommended.

WRC will host “Open Mike Night,” Tues., Oct. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Ferguson Center near Starbucks Café. Anyone is invited to speak, sing, read a poem or present a work of interpretive dance or work of art to express how any form of violence against women harms everyone. The performances can be done on a scheduled or spontaneous basis.

WRC will display the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the UA “Clothesline Project” on the Promenade on Oct. 11-12. The display will honor the memory of victims of domestic abuse. Students, faculty and staff will have the chance to make a T-shirt in memory or in honor of a friend or family member who has fallen victim to violence. The shirts will hang on the “clothesline.”

In addition, the WRC will display the local Junior League’s “Silent Witness Project,” a series of silhouettes honoring the memory of victims of domestic violence.

From Oct. 2-3, a display case on the second floor of the Ferguson Center will be dedicated to Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

An information table will be on the Promenade on Oct. 11-12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Various materials and resources will be available. WRC will have a petition on hand for students, faculty and staff to sign that pleads for an end to violence against women in all forms.

For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month, call the UA Women’s Resource Center at 205/348-5040.