October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: here’s how to get involved

It’s October and The University of New Mexico is joining institutions across the country in recognizing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Domestic violence harms more than victims. It harms communities and our nation as a whole. Stemming from the Day of Unity, DVAM was first recognized in 1981 and has evolved into a four-week effort to raise awareness for domestic violence survivors and victims.

DVAM also serves to facilitate a connection between organizations and individuals across the nation who are working towards ending violence against women and their children.

The University of New Mexico is joining the national awareness by encouraging Lobos to use the #WeAreResilient for #DVAM2021. The #WeAreResilient is the official hashtag for The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s DVAM activities and its planned national domestic violence awareness conference in September (postponed due to COVID).

Another way to join the effort on campus is to support Alpha Chi Omega’s (AXΩ) philanthropic domestic violence awareness events. AXΩ has dedicated its philanthropic mission to domestic violence awareness since 1922 and this year the Alpha Gamma chapter at UNM will be hosting its annual Omega Man Pageant and Pizza Pie with Alpha Chi events.

Pizza Pie with Alpha Chi will be at California Pizza Kitchen on Oct. 20, proceeds will be donated to Haven House located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Omega Man will take place on Nov. 9 in the SUB Ballrooms.

“Omega Man is a male beauty pageant where men from different organizations on campus will go on stage to perform a talent, represent their organization, and answer questions regarding domestic violence,” said BrookeLynne Southern, AXΩ vice president of Philanthropy. “All proceeds from this event will go to Haven House, a local domestic violence shelter.”

For more information on Omega Man and how to become a contestant, email BrookeLynne Southern at axservice1885@gmail.com.

Individuals can also participate in Purple Thursday, a national movement taking place on Oct. 21. The domestic violence awareness symbol is a purple ribbon and on this day people across the nation wear a purple shirt to raise awareness and share a post using #PurpleThursday. 

To stay up to date on DVAM events across the UNM campus, visit the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center’s Instagram account (@LoboRESPECT).