October 21 is Purple Thursday!
On October 21, The University of Mississippi’s Office of Violence Prevention will host Purple Thursday. According to Shelli Poole, Assistant Director for Violence Prevention and a Confidential Advocate for the Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention Services,
Shelli Poole, Assistant Director for Violence Prevention
“Purple Thursday is a national day of action each October during Domestic Violence Awareness month to raise awareness and promote healthy relationships. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple and take a picture and tag @umrasa if they would like to be part of the group’s Instagram story.”
Poole recently shared some invaluable information about the resources available on campus for anyone who suspects they may be involved in an abusive, or potentially abusive, relationship:
What resources are available on campus if someone is involved in an abusive or unhealthy relationship?
There are extensive resources available on campus if someone is involved in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. I'm attaching a flyer for an overview and list of resources. A lot of what I do is provide non-judgmental support for people concerned they may be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship. I can help sort through the confusion and complicated layers of these relationships in a supportive manner. If students need safe, emergency housing, we have rooms on campus that are safe. I can help advocate for students to get extensions on assignments, papers, Incompletes in courses, take a leave of absence, and re-enter when the student is ready. I can also help connect students to counseling on or off campus. A large part of my role is to accompany a student to get medical care, evidence collection, or STI testing at the Student Health Center or Baptist Memorial Hospital. If students are curious about reporting to law enforcement or Title IX, I can also go with them to talk with both of those reporting options.
What programs are provided to help educate students that they may be involved in an abusive relationship?
VIP and RASA provide education and prevention programs at every orientation for incoming students, EDHE first-year experience classes, and we go to sororities, fraternities, and residence halls to provide education on consent, healthy relationships, and how to intervene if they see something harmful about to happen. VIP and RASA also have programming to raise awareness and support survivors on campus. There is It's On Us week and Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the fall and in the spring, there are programs during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The biggest event of the year is Take Back the Night.
How does an abusive or unhealthy relationship disrupt a student’s education? What is the university able to do to provide support in those situations?
Common emotional reactions include guilt, shame, fear, numbness, shock, and feelings of isolation. Physical impacts may include personal injuries, concerns about pregnancy, or risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Economic impacts of sexual violence include medical and other expenses in addition to things like time off work. The long-term psychological effects survivors may face if their trauma is left untreated include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, isolation, and others.
People can't time that stress when it is convenient, and it often happens more often when the student is stressed about academics and other stressors. Often students have difficulty sleeping, finally, fall asleep in the early morning, and then sleep through class. VIP exists to support students through this time and request academic support, with the student's direction, from instructors and the Registrar's office. I find most instructors and administrators are supportive.
Can you walk me through the process of what happens when a student seeks help with a domestic violence situation?
The first consideration is always safety. We always do a safety assessment and also make sure the person doesn't need immediate medical attention. If the person isn't safe, we make a safety plan. I can accompany a student to obtain a Temporary Protection Order at the Justice Court, report to law enforcement, and place in a safe room if needed. The initial response involves crisis stabilization and then we move into supporting the student emotionally and connecting to long-term resources. The individualized plan typically involves academic support as well. Exploring all of the options is important in empowering the person after their power has been taken away by the abuse. People often feel conflicted and may return to the person. We always explain that we are here for them when they are ready and to create a safety plan as well.
Have you seen an increase in students seeking help since Gabby Petito’s death?
Yes, we have seen an increase in students seeking services after Gabby Petito's death. There is often an increase in people seeking support after these tragedies.
How can students get involved?
Students can get involved in RASA, which stands for Rallying Against Sexual Assault. This student organization provides peer education programs on campus and provides vital programming in partnership with VIP to raise awareness and support survivors. If students are interested in joining RASA they can find them on the Forum and find them on Instagram at @umrasa!