Clark State College will add some color to campus this month with displays of red flags and purple ribbons representing Domestic Violence Awareness.
Purple ribbons will be visible on trees near the TLC entrance on the main campus in Springfield this Friday.
“The purple ribbons not only represent domestic violence awareness but they also represent the awareness of increased bullying towards LGBTQ community members,” said Roseann Terbay, peer recovery support specialist at Clark State. “October represents awareness for so many causes, we felt it was appropriate to bring attention to these. We will also have signs at all locations explaining what these ribbons represent.”
Terbey said domestic violence and LGBTQ bullying has touched Clark State staff, faculty, and students.
“Having these symbols visible to our students will let them know that we stand in support of them,” she said. “By us having these signs and ribbons available for people to see, shows that we know that this is an issue, and we want our students to feel comfortable talking to our staff and faculty. We have resources available for immediate need.”
Red flags will also be visible on campus beginning next week as part of the Red Flag Campaign, which was established and made national in 2007, and adopted by Clark State in January of this year.
The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander intervention strategy to address and prevent sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses. The campaign encourages friends and other campus community members to say something when they see warning signs - or "red flags" - for sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking in a friend’s relationship.
“It’s a public awareness campaign aimed at changing social norms,” said Melinda Van Noord, counseling services coordinator at Clark State. ‘The intent is to focus on bystander intervention and helping students recognize when their friends are in troubled relationships; when they see the red flag, the warning signs, [we want them] to say something. We want people to speak out when they see something wrong.”
Van Noord said the Red Flag Campaign is visual with the main focus being the literal red flags posted around campus.
“The flags will be placed near the front entrance of the Springfield Leffel Lane campus,” said Van Noord. “We are displaying the flags this month to bring awareness to the prevalence of partner violence. The red flags are being displayed in conjunction with an awareness event, The Clothesline Project, and Active Bystander Intervention (ABI) training.”
Van Noord said crisis resources will be available at The Clothesline Project and the ABI sessions. On October 21, Purple Thursday, campus members are also encouraged to show their support for domestic violence survivors by wearing purple.
“Clark State recognizes the impact of domestic violence on the lives of many of our students,” she said. “We want to show our support for victims, raise awareness about crisis resources for domestic violence, and educate campus members about ‘red flags’ of abusive relationships and ways they can intervene safely if they witness or suspect abuse.”
Clothesline Project
October 11-15 │ Springfield (TLC Rotunda) & Beavercreek (2nd floor)
This display features t-shirts decorated by campus members with messages that honor domestic violence survivors and instill hope. Campus members should contact Counseling Services to decorate a t-shirt for the display at 937.328.7961 | vannoordm@clarkstate.edu.
Active Bystander Intervention Training
Tuesday, October 19 │ 2 p.m.│ Beavercreek G230
Wednesday, October 20 │ 1 p.m.│ Springfield TLC 143
Friday, October 22 │ 12 p.m.│ Virtual via Zoom
Participants in this 1-hour class will learn how to safely respond when they witness abuse, bullying, and harassment. Campus member participants will also learn about signs of partner violence and how to offer support to victims. For questions or toregister for one of the classes listed below, contact Counseling Services at 937.328.7961 | vannoordm@clarkstate.edu.
Purple Thursday
Thursday, October 21
Participate in this national day of action by wearing purple, the color for domestic violence awareness.