Speakers highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month

UW–Madison students, faculty and staff are collaborating to host a number of events promoting discussion of relationship violence and sexual assault during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Dating violence, stalking and sexual assault are important issues on every college campus, and we are working to support survivors, hold offenders accountable and prevent abusive behaviors at UW–Madison,” says Yolanda Garza, assistant dean in the Offices of the Dean of Students and chair of the University Subcommittee on Sexual Assault.

Among the highlights is a Thursday, Oct. 20, lecture and video presentation by Diane Rosenfeld, a UW Law School alumna.

“We are honored to sponsor a lecture by one of our distinguished alumna,” says Ruth Robarts, assistant dean for student and academic affairs in the UW Law School. “Diane’s work in the areas of public policy and violence against women is of great interest to the UW Law School, especially with the recent re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the U.S. House and Senate.”

The Violence Against Women Act is a federal act that provides support services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Other events include a panel discussion on the intersection of racism and sexism, a presentation of visual representations of survivors of violence by photographer Jan Goff-LaFontaine and a community forum with Tony Porter, an activist leading a national initiative to encourage men to find community solutions to ending violence against women. Porter will visit Madison as part of a statewide conference on violence prevention sponsored by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

A full listing of events is included below. All are free and open to the public.

For more information about violence prevention efforts on the UW–Madison campus, contact Carmen Hotvedt, violence prevention specialist at University Health Services, at (608) 265-5966 or hotvedt@wisc.edu.

Domestic Violence Awareness Events

Tuesday, Oct. 11

“Ending Racism, Ending Domestic Violence: A Panel Discussion by Students and Community Members.” What are the intersections of racism and sexism? Part of the Pathways to Excellence discussion series. Dinner provided. The discussion will be held from 5-7 p.m., in the second-floor lounge, Red Gym, 716 Langdon St.

Wednesday, Oct. 12

“Women in Shadow and Light: Journeys From Abuse to Healing: Jan Goff-LaFontaine.” A compelling presentation about the impact of domestic violence on real women’s lives. Goff-LaFontaine, photographer/author and faculty at Wisconsin’s Peninsula Art School, will discuss images from her new book, which depicts the stories of 40 survivors of incest, rape and domestic violence. The event starts at 5 p.m. in Room 4151 of Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave. To learn more about Goff-LaFontaine, visit http://www.janlafontaine.com.

Thursday, Oct. 20

“Rape Is?”, presented by the film’s co-producer, Diane Rosenfeld. The documentary explores the dimensions and forms of rape – from child sexual abuse to sex trafficking to rape as a systematic tool of war. The event begins at 7 p.m. in Room 2260 of the Law Building, 975 Bascom Mall.

Wednesday, Nov. 2

“Becoming Part of the Solution to End Domestic Violence: Tony Porter.”

Porter, a nationally acclaimed speaker, will discuss men’s role in ending domestic violence. Porter founded A Call to Men: National Association of Men and Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women by organizing the men and women of colleges, corporations, grassroots groups and nonprofit organizations to resist, reduce and prevent violence against women. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Wisconsin Historical Society Auditorium, 816 State St. A reception will follow, courtesy of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and Elegant Foods. To learn more about Porter’s organization, visit http://www.acalltomen.com.