FSC Fights to Stop Domestic Violence
October 31, 2016
Horton Hall
FSC and New York State’s observance of “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence Day” on October 20 was only one element of the college’s battle to curb domestic violence, wherever it is found.
Horton Hall was illuminated with purple lighting that day, and purple ribbons and clothing could be seen on staff and students around campus. Working with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, students from LIEOC, Residence Life and student leaders assembled “comfort kits” for distribution to local crisis centers. More than 1,800 bags were assembled – more than three times the goal. The bags were FSC’s contribution to the SUNY-wide initiative, “SUNY’s Got Your Back!” (Nearly 3,000 bags total have been assembled by FSC staff and students.)
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Title IX, along with other campus departments, has been active throughout the month. Crisis counseling centers were on campus distributing information about available resources; a speaker series featured presentations on the impact of trauma and orders of protection; students painted hats and wore purple tattoos to create awareness; students were trained to protect themselves from violence, and at the Hands of Hope event (pictured below), students colored their hands purple to make hand prints as a pledge of support.
And on October 25, a White Ribbon Campaign was held to encourage men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
“It is our hope that domestic violence will cease to exist,” says Dr. Veronica Henry, Executive Assistant to the President, Chief Diversity Officer, and Title IX Coordinator. “It is penetrating our society and we hope through education it will stop.”
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion had many partners in this month-long campaign, including Residence Life, LIEOC, TRiO, University Police, Physical Plant, Health and Wellness Center, Student Activities, and the office of the Associate Dean of Students.
