October is Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Content warning: Dating and Domestic Violence
Ever since 1981, October has been a national month to recognize and learn more about domestic violence. Join the Student Support and Advocacy and partners across campus and in our community for Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. Questions can be directed to ssac@gmu.edu!
Ask an Advocate
(Every Tuesday this semester, 12-12:45 pm)
Join SSAC on our Facebook and Instagram (@ssacgmu) for a Livestream on topics related to advocacy, self-care, and sexual and interpersonal violence. Join us for a conversation on supporting survivors, learning more about dating and domestic violence, relationship red flags, and tips for breaking up (and what to do when it is not safe to do so).
The Clothesline Project
(October 1st-9th)
The Clothesline Project has become an annual tradition at Mason where we join organizations all over the world in displaying t-shirts as a visual representation of the violence impacting survivors in our community. Join us this year on our social media @ssacgmu for t-shirt images and an opportunity to show your support for survivors.
Purple Thursday
(October 15th all-day)
Nationally, Purple Thursday is a day of action asking communities to wear purple and the reflect on dating and domestic violence. Join us on October 15th in wearing and sharing your purple to raise the conversation in our community. Tag us @ssacgmu or email ssac@gmu.edu and we will reshare your photo.
Chapter Next
(October 14th, 4-6 pm, October 15th, 2-4 pm, &. October 19th, 4-5:30 pm)
For the last 6 years, the LEAD office, SSAC, and Women and Gender Studies, hosted campus-wide programming focused on ending sexual and interpersonal violence. Join us and partners from across campus and in our community as we are hosting this year’s programming via Zoom and hope you will be able to join us! This year’s program includes an opening ceremony with an address from the Dean of Students, information from resources and activists in our community, educational sessions, sessions dedicated to survivors being in community together, and a pledge workshop where attendees get to give feedback on our future pledge! The event takes place over three days and members of our community can attend any and all the sessions they would like to attend! Registration is on Mason360.
The Impact of Domestic Violence
(October 20th, 6-7:30 pm)
Join UL Arlington, SSAC, and, Doorways in a workshop on the impact of domestic violence. A link will be coming to Mason360 soon!
My Costume is Not My Consent
(October 26th,6-7 pm)
Join advocates in SSAC as we clap-back to a culture that blames the victim, that participates in “slut” shaming, and that suggests that clothing implies consent. We will discuss this culture, the harm it causes, how to challenge it when it comes into the conversation, and we will define consent together. A link is available on Mason360!
Take Back the Night (October 28th, 6-9:00 pm)
Sponsored by Women and Gender Studies and the Student Support and Advocacy Center, Take Back the Night is a nationally recognized speak out event against sexual and interpersonal violence. This year we will be hosting the event virtually and asking for our community to give narratives of activist work they have done as well as survivor narratives. Join us as we virtually Take Back the Night! Registration is on Mason360.
Dating in the Time of COVID
(October 29th, 6-7:30 pm)
Join UL Arlington, SSAC, and, Doorways in a workshop on the impact of domestic violence. A link will be coming to Mason360 soon!
In addition, the Student Support and Advocacy Center remains a resource for the community throughout October and beyond. Do not hesitate to refer students who have experienced any form of sexual and interpersonal violence to us by making a referral on our website at ssac.gmu.edu!
Finally, SSAC has several workshops that can be brought to your department, class, or student organization. These include workshops on healthy relationships, boundaries, supporting survivors (for students & for faculty and staff), substance use, and bystander intervention. Check out this page to learn about our workshops: https://ssac.gmu.edu/programs-and-workshops/.
