Alabama State University News April 4, 2014 Students Bring Community Together to Combat Domestic Violence Emberly McPherson, a senior rehabilitation services major from Mobile, says she knows the dangers of domestic violence from personal experience. "I know a lot of victims of domestic violence. I grew up with members of my family who were victims. Sometimes when you are young you see things, but you keep quiet. But when you get older and see these things, you have to take a stand," McPherson said. "You have to speak out." McPherson was one of the students who organized the family violence forum titled "What's Love Got to Do with It" at the John Garrick Hardy Student Center on Thursday, April 3. The students decided to host the community forum while they were doing research for their class, Marriage and the Family, taught by Dr. Brenda Gill. They led the forum, presented information and participated in a question-and-answer period. "Kameisha Logan, a senior criminal justice major from Selma, said victims need to know that they are not alone. "Domestic violence is real, and victims need to speak out. Also, there are strategies that can be used to help prevent the abuse from starting," Logan said. The students spoke about the stressors that lead to violence and abuse, the red flags you should look for in potential abusers and about dating violence and abuse among college students. Their research showed that 43% of college women who are in dating relationships experience abusive dating behaviors. "There are students here who are victimized, but they are afraid to tell; they don't want to be a snitch. But we want them to know that if they report the abuse, it will be anonymous," Logan said. "We want them to have the courage to talk because we have the resources to help them." One of those resources is ASU's Violence Against Women Program headed by Jim Graboys, ASU's police chief. "We want people to be able to talk about these things. Domestic violence is a national issue. We want to make sure that our students know that they can get help for themselves or someone they know who has been a victim," Graboys said. McPherson said she hopes the forum will help fellow students know they can survive anything. "I think this is great that we are able to get out and spread the word about domestic violence and let our classmates know how they can fight back and win," McPherson said. "It's good to empower others." Representatives from the Montgomery Police Department, The Family Justice Center and other community agencies attended the forum. Students who need help are encouraged to contact the ASU Counseling Center at 334-229-4382 or the ASU Department of Public Safety's Violence Against Women Program at 334-229-4400. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!