October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and several groups are working together to provide positive, fun ways that families can improve their communication and awareness of this issue, which many times is able to continue due to shame in sharing.

Domestic violence occurs behind closed doors, when women are verbally, physically and sexually abused by current or former intimate partners. It happens in all countries of the world and in all socio-economic classes, according to report from Soroptimist, an international women’s service group with a club in Ames since 1948.  Soroptimist is dedicated to helping women and girls.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control cites data from a National Violence Against Women survey that in the United States alone, an estimated 5.3 million acts of domestic violence occur each year against women 18 and older. The complete Soroptimist report on domestic violence is available online at www.soroptimist.org/pdf/DomesticViolenceWhitePaperApril2008.pdf

Again this year, the Soroptimist club is partnering with other groups to celebrate Week Without Violence. New this year, the week begins with a Family Fun Day on Oct. 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schilletter/University Village community center. Soroptimist members will share information about its programs and provide activities, including a youth literacy activity and ideas for family communication in creating and eating meals together.

Soroptimist is partnering with the Ames/ISU YWCA, ACCESS, SART and Alliance for the Family Fun Day and other events during the Week Without Violence. Also during Week Without Violence, there will be a self-security demonstration and the Alliance will have a table in the Memorial Union.

What would a Week Without Violence look like? If we had a week without violence,

• 28,847 women would not be physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner

• 15,385 men would not be physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner

• 63,462 children would not personally witness violence in their home

Please help make Oct. 12 through 17 a Week Without Violence. You can help by bringing a non-perishable food item to the Family Fun Day on Oct. 12. Items donated will go to ACCESS.

Melinda Thach

President

Soroptimist International of Ames Heartland