UK VIP Center recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center, housed in the Office for Student Success, is once again recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October.
“DVAM is an opportunity to center and amplify the voices of survivors and their lived experiences,” said Lenzi Dodgen, acting director of the VIP Center. “When more people are talking about it, there’s more awareness and more motivation for individuals to feel informed and empowered to be part of the solution to end domestic violence and make our communities safer.”
DVAM began as the “Day of Unity” in 1981, when advocates, women and children came together on the first Monday in October to share their survivor experiences, celebrate each other and mourn the loss of loved ones. In 1989, DVAM was officially established in legislation passed by Congress, offering survivors and advocates progress in the fight towards ending domestic violence.
Explaining the importance of the birth of DVAM, Dodgen said, “During the month we get a chance to honor the survivors we serve, get inspired by the progress we’ve made and recommit to keep pushing forward to end domestic violence.”
The VIP Center offers free and confidential advocacy and support to all students, staff and faculty who have experienced or been impacted by, any type of interpersonal violence.
Additionally, the center has participated in DVAM for several years and has expanded its impact throughout the community.
“We’ve grown our outreach and awareness efforts with events such as the annual Clothesline Project display, and by partnering with campus and community agencies like POWER, UK Counseling Center, Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition, Amanda’s Center and Greenhouse 17,” said Dodgen.
Highlights of remaining events the VIP Center will be hosting during DVAM include:
Oct. 21-23
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Clothesline Project Display
Located on the Gatton Student Center social staircase, the Clothesline Project is a visual display of the pervasiveness of interpersonal violence and a tribute to survivors. People who would like to make a shirt to be included in the display can stop by the VIP Center and pick up a shirt and art supplies. Other opportunities for people to make shirts to add to the display listed below:
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Oct. 22 | GSC social staircase | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 24
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Smash the Scale
Alumni Commons | 1-3 p.m.
The VIP Center will have a table at the event and offer an interactive trivia game to play, “Challenge your assumptions,” on the topic of survivorship and body acceptance. Prizes are available to winning participants. This event is hosted by POWER and UK Panhellenic.
Oct. 30
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DVAM Panel Discussion on intimate partner violence (IPV)
Woodland Glen V classroom | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
It’s On Us student group, VIP and Katie Showalter, Ph.D., with the UK College of Social Work will be hosting a panel discussion on IPV and health care for the Interprofessional Healthcare Residential College Living Learning Program. People can RSVP for the event ahead of time, and the maximum number of students allowed to sign up is 40.
To learn more about the VIP Center’s services, visit the center’s website here. Additionally, follow the VIP Center on Instagram under the handle @UKVIPCenter and TikTok @uky.vip.center. For additional questions about the VIP Center, contact the staff at 859-257-3574 or by email at vipcenter@uky.edu.
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