Community-wide vigil to be held for Domestic Violence Month

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, the Women’s Resource Center will take part in a community-wide vigil that honors those that have lost their lives to domestic violence.

The vigil, organized by the Portland Women’s Crisis Line, will take place on Oct. 28 at .6 p.m. at Holladay Park in northeast Portland. It will include a reading of the names of homicide victims, a candlelight ceremony and a community “speak-out” that is open to the public.

“We’re hoping for a strong student showing,” said Jessica Amo, WRC assistant coordinator.

In addition, students are encouraged to show their support by wearing a purple ribbon, which can be picked up at the WRC office. The ribbon is the national symbol of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Amo said.

According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, at least one in 10 women in Oregon between the ages of 20 and 55 have been physically or sexually assaulted in the past five years. Children have witnessed 33 percent of those assaults.

Recently, Multnomah County has seen a rise in relationship violence murders. In 2010 alone, 38 Oregonians have lost their lives to domestic violence.

With the recent murder of Portland State faculty member Astrid Schlaps, the topic of domestic violence has been brought to the attention of the PSU community. According to PSU’s Interpersonal Violence Task Force, this incident is a painful reminder that domestic violence can affect everyone.

While the event of Schlaps’ murder has been made public, the task force is aware that there are current PSU students, faculty and staff who are continuing to experience domestic violence on a daily basis.

“Domestic violence constitutes all acts of violence—physical, verbal, emotional and sexual,” Amo said. “Awareness is the first step to identifying an abusive relationship.”

According to Amo, one of the hardest things is admitting that abuse is happening in a relationship. The WRC’s Interpersonal Violence Program provides support, advocacy and assistance to students who are dealing with, or have dealt with, dating and sexual violence. In addition, the WRC staff can provide students with access to services on and off campus.

“Interpersonal violence is preventable,” Amo said. “We all have a role to play in making our community a safe place to live, work and study.”

In addition, the WRC works alongside the Center for Student Health and Counseling, according to Marcy Hunt-Morse, SHAC’s director of counseling and psychological services.

“Students come to us, seeking counseling for things like sexual assault and interrelationship violence,” Hunt-Morse said.

SHAC counsels both men and women that have experienced some form of abuse in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. However, the majority of victims are women, according to Hunt-Morse. ?

Additional support:

For those experiencing

domestic violence, call:

WRC: 503-725-5672

SHAC: 503-725-2800

Portland Women’s Crisis Line: 503-235-533