2009 Sep 22
For Immediate Release
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognized at Estrella Mountain Community College
Month-Long Activities Will Raise Awareness and Provide Resources
Avondale, Arizona – September 21, 2009 – According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime; 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women; and women aged 20-24 are at the greatest risk of non-fatal domestic partner violence (www.ncadv.org). Estrella Mountain Community College, a Maricopa Community College, will host a variety of campus activities during the month of October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month to raise awareness and to provide resources to men and women who find themselves in dangerous relationships. All events are free and open to the public.
"Sin by Silence" Film Screening and Discussion; September 29-October
"Sin by Silence" is an emotionally packed documentary that examines the stories of women incarcerated for killing an abusive partner. One of these inmates, Brenda Clubine, first began to see common threads in the experiences of many women in prison. She tenaciously worked to found the first U.S. prison support group led by inmates – Convicted Women Against Abuse (CWAA). Her mission was to education women about the cycle of domestic violence, and over the past two decades, the women of CWAA have helped change laws for battered women and raise awareness for those on the outside.
In October 2008, Brenda Clubine became the 20th CWAA member to be released from prison and now continues her advocacy efforts on behalf of domestic violence survivors beyond prison walls. Both, Clubine and the film's Director, Olivia Klaus will be at each screening held at EMCC to discuss the film and answer questions. EMCC counselors will also be available to anyone who may need their assistance.
The film and discussions, sponsored by the New Life Center, the Division of Behavioral Sciences and Cultural Studies, and the Division of Information Resources, will be held Tuesday, September 29 at 10:00 a.m. in the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL); Wednesday, September 30 at 7:15 p.m., CTL; and Thursday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m., CTL. Please RSVP to reserve your seat by calling 623-935-8592.
Silent Witness Exhibit; October 5-9
Sponsored by the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Estrella Mountain will host "Silent Witness," a traveling exhibition consisting of a collection of life-sized human cut-outs, each representing a person who lost their life to domestic violence. That person's story is attached to the cut out so others can connect and possibly relate to their experience. The exhibition will be available for viewing on the Estrella Mountain campus, October 5-9 in the Ceremonial Plaza.
Clothesline Project; October 12-19
T-shirts created by Estrella Mountain students, faculty and staff will be displayed in the college's Ceremonial Plaza, October 12-19. The t-shirts represent those who have been affected by domestic violence, either the creator her/himself, or someone they loved or knew who was a victim of domestic violence. The project is part of the national Clothesline Project, started in 1990 with four goals in mind: to bear witness to the survivors and the victims of domestic violence; to help in the healing process for those who lost a loved one or survived violence themselves; to educate, document and raise awareness of the extent of the problem of violence against women; and to provide a nation-wide network of support, encouragement and information for other communities starting their own Clothesline Projects (www.clotheslineproject.org ).
If you, or someone you know is in a dangerous relationship, please contact any of the agencies listed below:
For additional information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, please contact Dr. Olga Tsoudis at 623-935-8592.