The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Students and staff from G.C.C. and other SUNY colleges have been wearing purple and setting up educational demonstrations this month in effort to break the silence of Domestic Violence at their schools.

Today, at Genesee Community College, students are in the Forum painting nails, selling purple Domestic Violence Tees, cupcakes, and chocolate bars, giving students the opportunity to write messages  about why Love Should Not Hurt, and giving out prizes to “spin the wheel” game participants.

The price of a Tee is $7, and the price of purple socks are $5. Cupcakes, purple necklaces, and the chance to win a prize by spinning a wheel are all just 25 cents each. 100% of the proceeds goes to the local Domestic Violence Shelter.

If you are being abused, whether mental, physical, or emotional,  by anyone, whether by a friend, acquaintance, family member, or stranger, please speak up and tell someone. Get help for yourself. You are not someone who deserves to be mistreated.

If you know someone who is being abused in anyway (read above) please get help for that person. Respect their right to privacy, but at the very least be a supportive person in their life by reminding them that they are unique, special, and that they don’t deserve to get hurt.

When I asked one of the students why she volunteered to help out with Domestic Violence they said, “Well, no one asked us to get up here and do this, but I want to be a voice that encourages people to speak out about Domestic Violence, and let them know they don’t need to be ashamed.”

The students will be out there until 4pm today, so please go and support! In doing so, your doing your part in stopping domestic violence.