The University of Kentucky’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Center (VIP) hosted Purple Pumpkin Painting to encourage students to connect while raising awareness about Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
The event took place in the Multidisciplinary Science Building on Tuesday, Oct. 7, creating a comfortable space for conversation regarding heavy topics such as domestic violence.
During the pumpkin painting, the VIP Center provided students with purple ribbons, temporary tattoos and buttons.
Lenzi Dodgen, VIP Center director, said the event educated students about domestic violence prevention.
“It (the event) raises awareness and allows for people to come in and talk about this (domestic violence) in a way that’s not so painful,” Dodgen said.
Dodgen said the themed craft promoted a participatory effort to prevent and intervene in violence.
“The idea is not only to raise awareness, but to invite everyone to play a role collectively in shaping a violence-free campus,” Dodgen said. “Violence doesn’t find a home here.”
Dodgen said everybody can practice active bystander behavior on campus, saying college campuses, including UK, that have implemented the bystander intervention program known as Green Dot are anywhere from 17%-25% safer.
University of Kentucky Police Department Special Victims Unit Advocate Natalie Tate said she attended the event to teach students how to be supportive and compassionate to domestic violence survivors.
Tate said her exposure to Lexingtonians who had experienced trauma related to interpersonal violence and conversations held with her roommates as an undergraduate motivated her to pursue a career in advocacy.
“Domestic violence is one of those causes that for a long time was kind of swept under the rug,” Tate said. “People didn’t want to believe survivors. Wearing something purple, wearing a ribbon or painting a pumpkin can help spread that message.”
Emma Hall, a senior VIP Center intern, said students should be aware of DVAM because classmates and friends may experience it.
“It’s important to spread awareness,” said Hall. “You can spread knowledge of resources to students.”
Lindsey Lubberstedt, a senior nursing major, said students should care about domestic violence because college is a prevalent space for it to happen.
“Having that comfortable aspect behind it (the event) rather than sitting in a lecture, you’re more able to engage with your peers,” Lubberstedt said. “If you can learn more about that (domestic violence), you can intervene in those type of situations.”
