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'Shine a Light on Domestic Violence' Brings Issue to Forefront Oct. 19-23

SUNY Plattsburgh will once again participate in the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence’s “Shine a Light on Domestic Violence” initiative Oct. 19-23.

Purple lights will illuminate Hawkins Hall throughout the week as part of the SUNY-wide effort to increase awareness about the dangers and prevalence of domestic violence. The SUNY Plaza in Albany will also be lighted with purple lights as directed by Chancellor Nancy Zimpher.

“It is our hope that by illuminating SUNY Plaza in the color purple this month that it can serve as a beacon for the city and increase our public awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and remind victims that support is available,” Zimpher said.

The week-long initiative will be sponsored this year by the SUNY Plattsburgh Title IX Office.

“The Title IX office in collaboration with other campus officials and offices works to ensure gender equity on SUNY Plattsburgh campus,” said Butterfly Blaise Boire, Title IX coordinator at the college. “This expands to issues of sexual harassment such as domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.”

In addition, the state has designated Wednesday, Oct. 21, as “Turn the State Purple” day, which encourages all New Yorkers to wear purple that day. SUNY Plattsburgh will participate, encouraging students, faculty and staff to don purple as well.

If you have been the victim of sexual violence, dating/partner violence, stalking and/or hate crimes on campus, there are resources for you on campus and in the community, Blaise said. On- and off-campus resources available include:

 University Police: 518-564-2022

 Student Health and Counseling Center: 518-564-3086

 Health Educator and Advocate Rhema Lewis: 518-564-4830

 The University at Vermont Health Network — CVPH: 518-561-2000

 Crime Victim Specialist and Advocate Molly Nichols: 518-897-2090

 Stop Domestic Violence: 518-563-6904

 Stop Domestic Violence Hotline:  888-563-6904

 Sexual Assault Services 24-hour Hotline: 877-212-2323

Help is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the state Domestic and Sexual Abuse Hotline, 800-942-6906, where trained counselors respond to a variety of needs, including: crisis intervention; supportive counseling; information and referral services; and technical support to providers.

“SUNY Plattsburgh is committed to increasing awareness, outreach, education, and remedies to violence on our campus and in our community,” Blaise said.

For more information about SUNY-wide participation in the “Shine a Light on Domestic Violence” campaign, contact Casey Vattimo at [email protected] or 518-320-1311. For more information about SUNY Plattsburgh’s participation, contact Blaise at 518-564-3281.

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