Purple Week begins at St. Lawrence this Monday to raise awareness for domestic violence. The Advocates and other organizations on campus host a variety of events for all students.
Advocates Secretary Quinn Audsley ’20 says this event is important for the SLU community because it provides resources for survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence.
“Statistically, it is likely that someone in your close social circle has been affected by intimate or domestic partner violence,” she said.
There will be events like Empower Hour Yoga hosted by Planned Parenthood Generation Action on Thursday, and an open mic at Pub 56 that happens every year.
“New events [include] a refresher course for previously trained Advocates to brush up on their skills as well as a few surprise events,” Audsley said.
Audsley says there are many ways students can support survivors during Purple Week.
She encourages educating yourself about intimate and domestic partner violence, as well as attending events and wearing a purple ribbon throughout the week.
“If you are emotionally capable, show up,” Audsley said. “Too often people believe that staying silent and not having an opinion exempts them from responsibility or liability on social issues like intimate and domestic violence. What you choose to stay silent on says something about you. It takes privilege to actively or passively choose silence in the face of people’s trauma.”
One prominent event during Purple Week is Take Back The Night, which will be held Tuesday, October 22 at Gunnison Chapel at 7:30 p.m.
According to the Take Back The Night Foundation, the event began in the 1960s as a movement against sexual violence.
Over the years, there have been marches, protests and speak outs with this message.
At St. Lawrence, it gives survivors a chance to share their stories.
Kate Angus ’20 helps organize this event as a member of the Women’s Resource Center, the Dub. “At SLU we encourage survivors of sexual violence in our community to speak about their experience,” she said.
Angus says this event may be difficult, but it is still important that it is included in Purple Week.
“I have heard many stories of students becoming empowered to confront and share their own experiences with sexual or intimate partner violence after attending Take Back The Night and relating to a story they heard there,” she said.
“It is also an important and effective way to raise awareness of the different forms sexual and intimate partner violence can take.”
Turnout to Take Back the Night is also high, which Angus finds positive. “It shows how much we as an overall community support and believe survivors,” she said.
Angus also said attendees are sometimes motivated to get AWARE trained after the event.
There are a number of Advocates at Take Back The Night, as well as a self care room for anyone to use at any point.
Angus also recommends attending a self care activity later in the week. “Overall, it’s important to just keep checking in and be gentle with yourself,” she said.
“So if that means sitting out of events, reaching out to friends for support, taking a walk, taking a nap, being creative, cleaning your room, remember to prioritize those things to keep you grounded, this week and always.”
Advocates has a 24/7 hotline at 315-244-5466, and open-office hours 2 to 4 on Sundays in their office on the third floor of the student center. Trained Advocates attend all Purple Week events.