The University of Tennessee at Martin will host several events that recognize and support October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
According to domesticviolence.org, domestic violence takes place nationwide about every 15 seconds. Each year, about 10 million people become victims of domestic violence, which affects women, men and children from all backgrounds.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month was introduced in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to raise awareness of domestic violence and to connect and unify the millions of affected victims. In 1987, October was set to be the month to raise awareness of domestic violence and its victims.
On campus, the Office of Access, Compliance and Title IX is sponsoring events and special days for people to raise awareness:
• Clothesline Project, Wednesday, Oct. 14-Friday, Oct. 16: The Office of Student Health and Counseling Services and the Office of Access, Compliance and Title IX asks faculty, staff and students to decorate a T-shirt in support of domestic violence survivors and hang it on the provided clothesline outside of the Boling University Center.
• Purple Thursday, Oct. 15: People are asked to wear purple in support of domestic violence survivors. This is the National Day of Action and Unity in support of domestic violence survivors.
• Essentials Drive, Tuesday, Oct. 20: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boling University Center Patio, the Office of Access, Compliance and Title IX will be collecting unused personal hygiene items such as dental care, hair care, feminine products and so on; unused and unworn undergarments and socks; gently used clothing and accessories; gently used children’s clothing and toys; gently used or unused footwear; and other donations, such as non-electric scooters or bikes. These items will go to domestic violence survivors and their families. This event is part of the SAFE (Supporting Awareness, Fairness and Empowerment) UTM Initiative.
PHOTO: Decorated T-shirts hang from a clothesline on the Boling University Center Patio in a 2024 event supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Office of Access, Compliance and Title IX are hosting the Clothesline Project on Oct. 14-16 to raise awareness of domestic violence and its victims.
