By Alex Burke
The University of Maryland’s Sexual Assault Prevention Committee (SAPC) hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Month resource fair Friday to provide students with information regarding power-based violence prevention.
Students browsed tables from different campus organizations, including the UMD Counseling Center, CARE (Campus Advocates Respond and Educate) to Stop Violence, the Division of Student Affairs and more.
Student representatives from Black Girls 2, an organization that aims to amplify the voices of Black women who face sexual violence, as well as build a strong community between students, handed out resource fliers.
Senior public policy and sociology major Leandra Williams shared how her involvement in Black Girls 2 allowed her to help raise awareness about sexual violence and intersectionalities that Black women face on college campuses.
“We want to spread awareness by giving out resources on what domestic violence can look like for Black women. We all should all be helping each other,” Williams said. “This isn’t just Black women’s issues. It’s everyone’s issue.”
Black Girls 2 provides community outreach and service, campus-organized activities and monthly meetings on campus to bring people together and create support systems.
Williams also emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive environment.
“We want to create a community,” Williams said. “It’s a safe space for students to come and talk to us and learn a little bit more.”
Faith Ogugua, a senior public health major, said CARE provides free therapy and adequacy services, educational workshops and a 24/7 crisis hotline that operates during the fall and spring semesters.
Ogugua also informed students of the different teams within the CARE office.
“Our educational team goes to fraternities and sororities that request us to give them workshops,” Ogugua said. “Those workshops talk about red flags in relationships, consent and other things.”
In addition, students received free treats, t-shirts and prizes to help spread awareness about support networks on campus.
Students who are in need of help can find a list of campus resources here.
Featured image by Liya Osiyemi, October 4, 2024.