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U.VA. HEALTH SYSTEM RECOGNIZES SEXUAL ASSAULT/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

According to the Virginia Department of Social Services, domestic violence programs throughout the Commonwealth served 57,662 Virginians in 1999. Of these, 71 percent were abused women, 2 percent were abused men, 20 percent were children impacted by home violence and 7 percent were batterers. Shelters provided safe refuge for 3,756 women and 3,636 children, for a three week stay at a time; however, 4,706 families requesting help had to be turned away due to space constraints.

October is national Domestic Violence Awareness month. In order to promote awareness throughout the community, the U.Va. Health System is sponsoring the following events:

    October 2, The Clothesline Project. T-shirts depicting the feelings of sexual assault/ domestic violence victims will be on display in the U.Va. Hospital Cafeteria East and the main lobby of the U.Va. School of Nursing (McLeod Hall), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Informational brochures will be available. Contact Michelle Sawyer, R.N., BSN, at (804) 982-3847 for more information. Sponsored by the Women's Place, U.Va. Health System.
    October 3, National Work to End Domestic Violence Day. The U.Va. Faculty and Employee Assistance Program will be disseminating literature outside the U.Va. Hospital Cafeteria East, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Mary Sherman at (804) 924-1727 for more information. Sponsored by the Women's Place, U.Va. Health System.

    You Throw Like a Girl! and Other Masculine Myths. Former NFL quarterback Don McPherson will discuss traditional gender norms and the role of sports in developing men's attitudes towards gender identity and women. The event will take place in the McLeod Hall auditorium at 8 p.m. Call (804) 982-2774 for more information. Co-sponsored by the U.Va. Sexual Assault Education Office and the Department of Athletics.

    October 9 – 15, U.Va. Sexual Assault Awareness Week. University student organizations and departments from the U.Va. Medical Center will pass out literature on the Lawn, including statistical information and resources for survivors. Evening events will include an academic panel discussion about sexual assault statistics and how they are gathered. Contact Claire Kaplan at (804) 982-2774 for more information.
    October 16, Memory & Healing Service. U.Va. Medical Center chaplains will conduct an interfaith service in recognition of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Awareness month. Speakers will include members of the sexual assault nurse examiner team. The event will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the hospital chapel. Contact Michelle Sawyer, R.N., BSN, at (804) 982-3847 for more information. Sponsored by the Women's Place, U.Va. Health System.
    October 19, Domestic Violence: What You Don't Know Might Hurt Them. U.Va. Health Sytem will offer a training program for health care professionals in handling domestic violence patients from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the U.Va. West Complex, room 6011. Call (804) 924-8501 to register or for more information. Co-sponsored by the Women's Place and the Center for Organizational Development at the U.Va. Health System.

September 29, 2000