OUR VIEW: Abuse awareness needed on campus

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. All over the country domestic violence shelters and organizations are trying to increase awareness – including many participating organizations in Cache Valley.

It’s important to realize that rape, domestic and dating violence occurs on a regular basis. And yes, it happens in Cache Valley. Last year alone, CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency) sheltered 254 people, received 410 rape calls and 9,168 crisis line calls. All of these calls were from residents of the valley.

Sponsored activities throughout the month are planned to increase awareness of relationship violence. A presentation including music, poetry and drama was held Tuesday by women from CAPSA and the USU Music Therapy Program. All week long, the International Lounge in the Taggart Student Center has sported the Clothesline Project – a display of shirts designed by survivors of abuse. Next week a workshop called “Healing Through Writing” will be held for women on their way through the recovery process.

If you know someone who’s a victim of domestic violence, or rape – or if you are – get in touch with one of the incredible amount of resources available. Call CAPSA’s 24-hour hotline at 753-2500 . Look at your roommates and friends’ dating relationships for warning signs – even things like simple manipulations, isolating the person from friends and family or exerting unnecessary control. These visible signs could be covering a much uglier situation or a sign of things to come.