Events planned to shine a light on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

10/10/2023 

Throughout October, SUNY Cortland’s entry lights will shine purple to highlight National Domestic Violence Month, drawing attention to an issue that claims victims across all age, gender, race, sexuality, religion, education and economic levels.

But that’s not all the university is doing to help combat domestic and sexual violence.

Members of SUNY Cortland’s It’s On Us Action Team will join the student club Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) to raise awareness about interpersonal violence and offer resources to individuals seeking support. Prevention Awareness, Health Promotion and the Title IX Office are also involved in the awareness campaign.

The effort includes a variety of campus activities and events:

• Domestic Violence Awareness chalking. Wednesday, Oct. 11 from noon to 4 p.m. on the front steps of Corey Union. The campus community is invited to write encouraging messages for students impacted by dating violence. A rain date is set for Thursday, Oct. 12.
• Take Back the Night March. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the steps of Corey Union. The campus march is part of an international event aimed at encouraging people to actively fight to end sexual and domestic violence in all forms. The keynote speakers include SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum, Title IX Coordinator Maggie Wetter and a selected student speaker.
• Purple Shirt Day. Wednesday, Oct. 25, all day. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear purple shirts to draw attention to that evening’s Take Back the Night campus march. Participants are encouraged to wear stickers that state “ask me why I am wearing purple.” Purple stickers are available from the Counseling Center, the Title IX Office, the Health Prevention Office, the Residence Life and Housing Office, Athletics Department and Advisement and Transition.
• Consent Carts. Students tired of walking around campus should keep an eye out for Consent Carts. These are golf carts that offer to drive students to on-campus destinations in exchange for a discussion about consent and sexual violence prevention. One Consent Cart program occurred early this month and at least one more is planned.
• “An Empty Seat at the Table.” Tables in the Student Life Center and in Van Hoesen and Cornish halls will offer a symbolic reminder of the cost of abuse. “An Empty Seat at the Table” display features an empty seat and place setting as a reminder of the lives lost to domestic violence. On the plates and silverware are facts about domestic violence and resources for those who need it.
• “Red Flag Campaign.” There is also an ongoing social media “Red Flag Campaign” that illustrates how to recognize the different warning signs in relationships. Signs about unhealthy relationships are posted on the Its On Us Instagram account in collaboration with the Aid to Victims of Violence. Also, Red Flags have been placed around campus to illustrate unhealthy signs of relationships.
• “Relationship Jenga.” Nov. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Neubig Hall lobby. This Wellness Wednesday Series event is cosponsored by the It’s On Us Action Team and Conley Counseling and Wellness Services. Play Jenga to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.