Column: Love shouldn’t hurt

October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month hits home

Shannon Berry / Roundup

He slammed me against the wall.

I escaped his grasp. After chasing me, he grabbed me again. I was scared now.

Approximately 32 percent of college students are victims of domestic violence, according to Youth Violence & Suicide Prevention.

I kicked and screamed for him to put me down while he carried me to a secluded space. He shouted at me with a fierceness and intensity in his eyes I had never seen. I felt helpless.

Domestic violence is an issue that holds no prejudice against age, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference or gender.

Sadly, too many women are victims of domestic violence without even knowing it. Many women are oblivious or in denial about questionable behavior from their partners.

If you question it, get out of it.

I was in a relationship that involved domestic violence. For a while, I was in denial. I did not want to believe this man who said he “loved me” would verbally or physically abuse me.

According to the Bureau Justice of Statistics, women ages 16 to 24 are among the highest rate of intimate partner violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Pierce College is doing its part to bring awareness to this underlying social issue on campus.

The Control Violence Response Team (CVRT) on campus is hosting the Clothesline Project (CLP) Wednesday.

The CLP allows victims of domestic violence to write their thoughts regarding their situation on a t-shirt as a testimony. Their shirt is hung on a clothesline along with others from previous participants.

In its third semester on campus, CLP has collected 100 shirts.

CVRT will also host Denim Day in April.

"The shirt is to empower you. You can write whatever you want. You can be sad, angry, or whatever. It's your way of dealing with [your situation[," said CVRT team leader Holly Hagan.

CVRT will also be starting a new project called Hands Don't Hurt, where students place their palms in paint, then on a banner, pledging never to use them to commit a violent act.

Hagan, who is a survivor of domestic violence and sexual abuse, has been with CVRT for two years.

“Me being a survivor, I’m able to help other people and understand why they stay or don’t stay,” Hagan said. “[CVRT] is here for awareness that these things do happen. We refer [people] to the proper resources.”

There is no excuse for violence in relationships. Love does not hurt, so do not justify the pain for the love your partner supposedly has for you.

“Find the safest way to get out,”

Hagan advises young women who are in abusive relationships.

I thought to myself, “This is it. He’s going to hit me.” Then a young woman about my age came around the corner and demanded him to ‘Get away from her!’ She cursed him out while a small crowd of people gathered around. I was free. I was safe. Thank you God.