COSW Community in Action
Meeting Notes from 9/11 and 9/16

Upcoming events on domestic violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so there are already a number of events planned during this month on campus and in the community.

·         Monday October 6, 2008 at 11 am Silent Witness ceremony on the steps of the Statehouse (organized by the SC Attorney General’s Office).  Volunteers are needed from 10:20 on to help with silhouettes and handing out books for the ceremony.  Let me know if you are interested or able to commit to this.

·         October 3 – 11, 2008 – Living With the Enemy- The Exhibition: Extraordinary Work of Photojournalism by Donna Ferrato.  The exhibit is free except on opening night and includes 47 photographs.  Reception featuring Donna Ferrato on Friday October 3 from 4:30 to 9 pm. For more information, call 800-260-9293.

·         Events on campus dealing with healthy relationships – more information forthcoming as we have it.

·         Other events in the community – more information forthcoming on that.  

Possible directions for Community in Action this year

Definitional issues – what is domestic violence exactly? What term should we use? It includes many things, such as harrassment and stalking.   It includes same sex relationships, the elderly and their caregivers.  One of the issues in this state is the definition of household member.  SCCADVASA uses the term interpersonal violence; Sexual Trauma Services on campus uses relationship violence.  

Educational component -  Rebecca Williams, a graduate of our program and Communications Coordinator for SCCADVASA, has offered to prepare a 30-minute presentation for MSW classes on relationship violence.  She would come on certain days and speak to a couple of classes grouped together, over the course of one week, possibly the last week of October.  We may also have a lunch and learn on those days for students in other classes who want to be exposed to the content.

Also in Spring semester, SCCADVASA is planning Lobby Day on domestic violence on March 5.  On that day, they will be discussing and pushing their legislative agenda for the session.   There will be numerous opportunities for us to get involved in the planning and events of that day. 

Other directions/aspects:

Possible phone drive

Work with a shelter like MEG’s House to provide needed items for their clients ( MSW student Ontinell Hill does his placement there).  

Better training for law enforcement and magistrates in this area

New immigrant hotline at the Commission on Minority Affairs which serves as both the hotline to report abuse and the hotline to report undocumented persons.

Questions:

Do you have other suggestions for this year’s project?

Do we want to do t-shirts or buttons on this issue? Any creative designs?

Thank you to the faculty, staff and students who came to the meetings and those who emailed me and told me of their support of this important issue in our state.

Please get involved to the best of your ability!