October is designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.¹  Women between the ages of 18-24, the age range of many college students, are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.² 

As such, on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. President Gary Ransdell, joined by Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, will proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Western Kentucky University.  The proclamation signing will take place on the first floor of Downing Student Union and your presence is requested. 

Please plan to attend this Domestic Violence Awareness Month kick-off event, Monday, September 26^th at 2:00 p.m. in Downing Student Union to send a message to the WKU community that relationship violence is unacceptable in our and to encourage individuals to learn about healthy relationships. 

Prior to the proclamation signing, students, faculty and staff will be invited to participate in the Kick-off event to obtain information about interpersonal violence and healthy relationships, win prizes, and learn about upcoming campus and community events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  For additional information related to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, contact Elizabeth Madariaga, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator for the Counseling and Testing Center at WKU, at 270-745-3159 or Elizabeth.madariaga@wku.edu.