SAPA starts virtual campaign as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Join SAPA this month to raise awareness for domestic violence and support survivors
A flag on display at the Solidarity event hosted by SAPA on Oct. 22.
Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates’ (SAPA) These Hands Aren’t for Hurting Campaign starts this month as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
SAPA advocates have incorporated virtual ways for the CMU campus and community to participate, Counselor and Assistant Director of the Sexual Aggression Services Megan Varner said.
Until Oct. 31, SAPA invites students to take a stand against domestic violence and show support for survivors by placing purple handprints on external windows, Varner said. Participants can print or trace their hands.
Participants can send pictures of their display to sapa@cmich.edu. For specific details, visit the Calendar of Events for SAPA website.
“Social media has been a huge part of engaging students and the community this month," Varner said. "SAPA has worked hard to focus on making the events they're hosting this month visible and accessible by all through social media."
The Clothesline Project will take place on Oct. 28. The project is a nationwide effort that allows a creative way for survivors to represent and express how they been impacted by sexual aggression, Varner said.
SAPA will display shirts made by domestic violence survivors around campus and share the shirts through social media, Varner said.
SAPAs bi-annual event, Solidarity, will occur virtually through SAPAs social media in early November. The organization has been collecting pieces of art, music and writing to share virtually. Varner said the event allows members to utilize creative outlets and showcase talents to stand in solidarity.
According to NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States on average. For one year, this equates to more than 10 million people, Varner said.
