OCTOBER IS

Domestic/Relationship Violence

Awareness Month

October commemorates Domestic/Relationship Violence Awareness Month nationwide. The highest rate of relationship violence happens to women ages 16-24, and more than 50% of women will experience some type of violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Domestic/relationship violence can and does occur in any type of intimate relationship: dating, marriage, co-habitation or roommate arrangements. It occurs between couples who are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. For college students, the most common forms of these crimes are dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Nationally, women’s victimization by relationship violence is 95% or higher of reported cases; relationship violence can happen to men, too. In Montana during the 2007calendar year, 12,883 people were victims of interpersonal violence. Of that number women made up 80.7% of victims and male victims were 18.9%.

ReSPONSE is hosting events and displays at MSU-Northern during October to bring attention to issues of relationship and dating violence. Click a link at the left to see what's happening this month to raise awareness and to educate about relationship and dating violence.

Purple Ribbons-available all month

Purple ribbons will be available at

the Info desk at the SUB, and

in Cowan Hall 213, the Gym

and the Library. Everyone is

encouraged to wear a ribbon

throughout October.

Purple denotes the bruises –

physical and emotional – suffered

by victims of domestic/relationship violence.

Wearing the ribbon indicates awareness

that interpersonal violence is a societal

problem and signifies support for preventing

and ending domestic and dating violence.