by Annie Flaherty, WTOP-10 TV
OSWEGO, N.Y. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and SUNY Oswego is taking action on campus through a variety of events. The One Love Foundation and SUNY Oswego teamed up to share the story of Yeardley Love. Yeardley was killed in 2010 due to a domestic violence altercation with her ex-boyfriend.
Yeardley’s mother, Sharon Love, aims to spread awareness through college campuses.
As a mother, Mrs. Love says, “my biggest concern was that she may be injured on the lacrosse field or, even worse, be hurt in a car accident. Relationship violence was never on my radar screen.”
SUNY Oswego “It’s On Oz” campaign held events this month. Lisa Evaneski, the Title IX coordinator at SUNY Oswego set up workshops this past week addressing sexual and domestic violence, specifically in college relationships, and how to make Oswego’s campus a safer one. Evaneski says these workshops are not just for students who have experienced domestic violence, but for everyone else on campus as well, so that they can recognize it.
This Thursday, October 20, SUNY Oswego students will be encouraged to “turn the campus purple” in honor of victims of relationship abuse and also to “shine a light” on the cause.
Other events will be taking place on campus throughout October as well, such as the “SUNY’s Got Your Back” event, where volunteers will put together comfort kits for victims and survivors of interpersonal violence.
If you are interested in getting involved with It’s On Oz campaign, contact Lisa Evaneski by email at Lisa.evaneski@oswego.edu.