Title IX Highlights Domestic Violence Awareness Throughout October

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Title IX office, in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will be sponsoring a series of events throughout the month of October to call attention to what is often an un- or under-reported crime that affects many students, faculty, staff and community members.

According to the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men experience physical abuse by their partners. At SUNY Plattsburgh, the Title IX office responds to reports of interpersonal violence — which includes domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

“it is one of the largest crises in our country and in our community,” said Title IX Coordinator Butterfly Blaise Boire. “People from all backgrounds, identities and experiences suffer in silence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, those affected are more isolated; there has been a nationwide rise in domestic abuse.”

In addition to hosting several events during the month, Hawkins Hall will be illuminated in purple during — the color of domestic abuse awareness.

Events, which will conform to social distancing and face covering policies, include workshops on bystander intervention, dating violence, violence in communities of color, the screening of the Netflix film, “Audrie and Daisy,” and more.

In addition, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear purple for National Wear Purple Day Thursday, Oct 22 to stand in solidarity with survivors and victims of domestic violence.

“It is the policy of SUNY Plattsburgh that interpersonal violence not be tolerated,” Blaise Boire said. “It is also the policy of the college to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions through campus judicial or personnel procedures if appropriate and by working with community agencies and law enforcemen as appropriate.

For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month or for a detailed schedule of October events, click here or visit https://bit.ly/2I8Ol1v, or contact Zyaijah Nadler, violence prevention and outreach coordinator in the Title IX office at [email protected] or call 518-564-2098.

If you or someone you love are the victim of domestic violence, contact the Title IX office, or you can call Behavioral Health Services North STOP Domestic Violence at 1-888-563-6904 or visit https://bhsn.org/social-services/stop-domestic-violence/.