Domestic Violence Display

Only funerals and flowers
by Martha Harris
As one enters Exclusively You, one can see sparkly dresses ready for people to wear for their weddings or other formal event. However, another part of the shop is somber with a casket draped in flowers. As one travels around the display, one sees "He beat her 150 times, and she only got flowers once." This is from the domestic violence display sponsored by the Women's Center as part of domestic violence awareness month. It honors the eight women, two children and one man from Montor and Columbia counties who died during the past 10 years. "This is a powerful display because we recreated an image from a poster and brought it to life," Robin Hampton from the Women's Center said. One of the victims was 32-year-old Stephanie Sees, a nursing student from BU. She was murdered July 13, 2002 after her husband beat her. One way students can get involved is to educate themselves and others about domestic violence and what services are provided. There is 24-hour emergency shelter for individuals or people with children at a secure site, legal services to help obtain a PFA (Protection From Abuse) order, advocacy during treatment at Bloomsburg Hospital and Gisinger and counseling for the victims or families who want to help. "All women should know why some women stay in violent relationships, what to do if they or someone they know is a victim, and they should realize it isn't their fault," Hampton said. "If someone has been hurt physically or sexually, as well as verbally and emotionally, it is also abuse." Since domestic abuse affected someone at BU, many students have become involved by volunteering at the center. According to Hampton, they can read to children, clean, work on maintenance projects or answer the hotline 1-800-544-8293. Finally, people can participate in the town vigil Tuesday Oct. 23 at 6 PM, and students can also wear a purple ribbon, which they can pick up from the center's satellite office in 3149 McCormick.
"Wearing the ribbon lets everyone see your support, and people ask what it means," Hampton said. "It is a good conversation starter and a way to educate others about something important."
According to Hampton, domestic violence can affect anyone, and there are certain times when people are most vulnerable. For more information, students can visit www.thewomenscenterinc.org, or if it is an emergency, call 570-784-6631.
"The most dangerous time is when the person has just left the violent relationship," Hampton said. "Abuse is when someone thinks he or she can physically, sexually or verbally control another person. The best thing someone can do is call for support and options, to make a decision whether to stay or to leave the situation."

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