This month, the entire Lobo community is encouraged to “Stop the silence. End the violence.”

Whether shared over coffee, in a group setting or social media post, survivors and advocates for domestic violence awareness bring people together to create a healthy, educational dialog on oppression and interpersonal violence. These collective voices can be heard on campus as UNM recognizes the importance and impact of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In honor of what this month represents, the Women’s Resource Center, LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center, and Student Activities are hosting a number of events and activities.

Through Oct. 27, the Women’s Resource Center is collecting:

  • Towels
  • Washcloths
  • Travel-sized toiletries
  • Diapers
  • Tampons and pads
  • Razors
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
     

“In New Mexico, we have a very high statistical rate of domestic violence and partner abuse,” said Jenna Hagengruber, staff member of the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center and coordinator of the drive. “Many women and men involved in domestic abuse have to leave their home on a moment’s notice and don’t have time to take these items with them. That is why we are donating these items to the Valencia Shelter.”

Other activities include:

  • Paint the Campus Purple
    Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 11:45 a.m.–2 p.m., north of the SUB.
    Participate in this campus-wide challenge to wear the color purple and bust myths about domestic violence at this tabling event.
  • Volunteer for Valencia
    Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. in SUB Ballroom A.
    Join volunteers from ASUNM and Greek Life to build toiletry baskets for those affected by domestic violence at Valencia Shelter Services. 
  • The Pack Goes Purple: Lobo Football vs. UNLV
    Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Dreamstyle Stadium.
    Lobo Athletics will be raising awareness for domestic violence at the upcoming football game vs. UNLV Rebels. Wear purple to support the Pack.
  • Taking Strides to End Domestic Violence
    Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at Johnson Field.
    Alpha Chi Omega and the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center will be sponsoring a fun walk around Johnson Field to raise awareness about domestic violence. 
     

About domestic violence

Domestic violence is characterized as “a pattern of abusive behaviors—including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion—used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship.”

Domestic violence can start gradually, often without notice. Little-by-little the verbal and/or physical abuse is introduced into the relationship.

It is important for individuals to recognize the signs of abuse to protect themselves and loved ones. For people who don’t expect to experience domestic violence, here are statistics from the Nation Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

  • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
  • On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 21,000 calls, an average of close to 15 calls every minute.
  • Intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime.
  • The presence of a gun in the home during a domestic violence incident increases the risk of homicide by at least 500 percent.
  • 72 percent of all murder-suicides involved an intimate partner; 94 percent of the victims of these crimes are female.
     

So chances are, if it doesn’t happen to you, you will know someone who has experienced abuse.

For more general information about domestic violence, including potential warning signs for emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's information page Is This Abuse? Get the Facts.

Break the Cycle also provides more information about patterns of abuse and behaviors commonly experienced by youth in dating relationships.

Here on campus, LoboRESPECT is UNM’s comprehensive approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. Their website includes information on prevention education efforts and programs, services and support for victims of sexual misconduct, including University policies.