Estrella Mountain, a Maricopa Community College, will host a series of educational events of activism in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Week, October 22-27, 2007. As part of the college's continuing commitment to raising awareness of social issues facing its community, and actively promoting growth and positive change, the events are free and open to the public, and will include self-defense workshops, films, as well as forums and interactive panels of experts.
The events of Domestic Violence Week will begin a few days earlier with a Rape Awareness and Prevention Seminar on October 16, at 10:00-11:15 a.m., with an encore presentation at 4:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m., in the college's Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The seminar, which is free and open to the community, is the result of the hard work and student efforts led by Annette Wilson, a pharmacy major, who returned to college after a twenty-five year absence. First interested in the topic after researching the treatment of rape victims by the legal system for an English 102 research paper, Wilson hopes that the seminar, which will include a selection of student-performed skits and information from prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement officers, will prepare students accustomed to a small college environment for transition to the university, to empower students not only to avoid becoming victims, but to seize an opportunity to become heroes in their own right. "What you believe about rape determines your behaviors," Wilson said. "Men are not the enemy, but they do have the opportunity to be a hero. The purpose of this seminar is to see students learn and then reach for a higher code of behavior."
Domestic Violence Awareness Week will officially begin October 22 through October 27, and will including the following events:
Monday, October 22
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery, My Sisters, Myself, a presentation by Sociology faculty, Roberta Norales.
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery, Our Honor, and His Glory, film and discussion on honor killings, culture, and violence.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Fitness Center, Self Defense Workshop, Tim O'Hearn, Estrella Mountain Public Safety.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery, Tough Guise, Part One, film on violence, media, and crisis in masculinity, presented by Candy Bailey, Sociology faculty.
Tuesday, October 23
8:30-9:45 a.m., CTL, Healing Young Lives Through Artistic Expression, a presentation by Free Arts of Arizona
10:00-11:15 a.m., CTL, Domestic Violence 101, a presentation by Elizabeth Ditlevson, Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (AzCADV)
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., CTL, Promise to Love Me and I'll Promise to Believe Your Lies, a presentation by Tiffany Adams, EMCC student and other storytelling students, with Angela Giron, storytelling instructor.
5:45-7:45 p.m., CTL, Sister, I'm Sorry, film on abused women and their attackers, presented by Roberta Norales, Sociology faculty.
Wednesday, October 24
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Image Zone, outdoor display in Ceremonial Plaza, including a book sale fundraiser to benefit Sojourner Center, New Life Center, and AzCADV, student displays and projects, community agency tables, clothesline project, and Remember My Name memorial.
9:00-10:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery, Community Response Skits
10:00-11:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery, Never Another Woman Turned Away, a presentation by Selina Carreon, Sojourner Center.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Fitness Center, Self Defense Workshop, Tim O'Hearn, EMCC Public Safety
4:30-5:15 p.m., CTL, Tough Guise, presented by Manuela Lataianu, Sociology faculty.
7:15-8:00 p.m., CTL, A Matter of Honor, film on honor killings, culture, and violence, presented by Beth Trice, English faculty.
Thursday, October 25
10:00-11:15 a.m., Plaza Gallery, Personal Stories and Resources, a panel discussion featuring Roberta Norales, La Casa de Paz, and EMCC faculty; Christina Fabian-Roman, survivor, AZ Children Association; Dawn Mullan, survivor, EMCC; Lindra Fishleder, Counseling faculty, EMCC; RJ Shannon, Minority AIDS Coordinator, Department of Health; Carrie Vidal Grant, New Life Center; and LaTonya Davis, AzCADV.
11:30 a.m., Plaza Gallery, Sister, I'm Sorry, presented by Roberta Norales, Sociology faculty.
Friday October 26
9:00-10:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery, A Matter of Honor, film on honor killings, culture, and violence, presented by Beth Trice, English faculty.
10:00-11:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery, Justice Panel, featuring Donna Hamm, Middle Ground Prison Reform; Keith Perkins, Never Again Foundation; and James Buesing, County Attorney's Office.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery, Tough Guise Part II, presented by Candy Bailey, Sociology faculty.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Fitness Center, Self Defense Workshop, Tim O'Hearn, EMCC Public Safety.
Saturday, October 27
9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., CTL, NO!, film on sexual assault, presented by Linda Cutright, Genesis West.
For more information about the events of Domestic Violence Awareness Week, and the college's commitment to community growth and outreach, contact Dr. Olga Tsoudis, Sociology faculty, at 623.935.8592.