Opinion: Letter

End silence on domestic violence

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Many students are counting down the days until they can go to a place where meals are free, laundry is taken care of and familiar friends and family are joyful to see one another. A place called home is where a good number of students will flock to during holiday breaks. My heart goes out to all of those who do not have a safe home to return to.

As another October comes to a close, I wonder when future generations will finally be able to stop honoring this time as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence, which has in the past been viewed as a "family problem," is affecting millions of people worldwide. This year, I was lucky enough to be a part of the annual Purple Ribbon Walk where community members gathered in front of the Capitol and marched to pay respect to those whose lives we lost due to domestic violence. We marched in silence to honor those who no longer have a voice.

But what about the victims who survive? In 2001 alone, 588,490 American women were victims of nonfatal violence committed by an intimate partner. Everyday, I take it upon myself to honor victims who continue living. I do this while working with the student organization Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE), by shattering the silence around dating and domestic violence, which encourages awareness as it empowers victims. This month, community members have been involved in events such as the vigil following the Purple Ribbon Walk, training by One in Four, a national touring group discussing how men and women can work together to end dating and domestic violence, as well as the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) 30th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon fundraiser.

The problems caused by dating and domestic violence are preventable. Creating an open and honest dialogue with those closest to you will help to begin the process of prevention work. Actively preventing and ending dating and domestic violence are not issues exclusive to victims. Speaking up for, and with, a victim through bystander intervention is an action step that anyone can take. My hope is that someday, there will be no more victims of domestic violence to honor. Until then, I urge you to take responsibility for your own actions, and to be aware of the actions of those surrounding you.

Libbie Watkins

watkins1@wisc.edu