The University News

Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Kevin Bryce

The fight against violence became hands-on last week thanks to the UMKC Women's Center's collaboration with the UMKC Violence Prevention and Response Project.

Throughout the week, the center set up tables around campus for the 2008 These Hands Don't Hurt and the White Ribbon Campaign.

Visitors not only received information about preventing violence, they were given the opportunity to revert back to preschool days and participate in finger painting.

Students, staff and faculty who chose to openly make a statement against violence stamped their hand prints on a banner representing violence-free hands. Participants could also sign a "zero violence" petition.

White ribbons were passed out as part of the White Ribbon Campaign, which is a national effort of men working to end men's violence against women.

This event comes in the middle of Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Statistics from the National Center for the Victims of Crime show 20 percent of teenage girls and young women have experienced a form of dating violence including aggressive, abusive and controlling behavior exhibited in a relationship.

It is also important for staff and faculty to be aware of the issues students might be facing and to know how to help, Kristen Abell, assistant director for the Women's Center, said in a press release.

"Educating themselves on the resources available is the first step to providing help for their students who are victims/survivors," she said.

More information about preventing violence can be found at the Women's Center Web site at www.umkc.edu/womenc/endviolence. - Alexia Lang

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