Workshops help combat domestic violence

By Catherina Ragsdale
The Collegian

Fresno State senior Kari Braun has a friend at her work who is being emotionally and physically abused. Her friend, a 27-year-old with two children, is too scared to seek help from a professional, so she turns to Braun.

“Her boyfriend has worn her down so much from the emotional abuse that he knows if he hits her, she won’t leave,” said Braun. “He has hit her.”

Most types of abuse and domestic violence go unreported due to the victim’s fear, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

“A lot of people aren’t aware as to what constitutes abuse. Any verbal and emotional abuse is not okay,” said Sue Rudd, administrative assistant for the Violence Prevention Project, facilitated by Fresno State’s Women’s Resource Center.

The Women’s Resource Center, along with the Marjaree Mason Center, wants to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking with the legal aspects by holding legal options workshops.

The workshops covers the different types of restraining orders available and places that help prepare the forms free of charge. Topics covered also include warning signs of abuse, safety programs, domestic violence laws, how a victim can prepare after calling police and how a victim should prepare for court.

“The primary goal is awareness,” said Mica Vargas, Violence Prevention Project coordinator. “The workshop is not limited to just students — faculty, staff and administrators are encouraged to attend.”

The workshops are one of many events and activities offered by the Violence Prevention Project.
The Women’s Resource Center staff will also hold violence prevention presentations in quite a few classes and departments, and are also looking to have presentations at the fraternities and sororities.

By the spring, the staff will put on Peer Theater, which will use audience interaction to act out domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other forms of abuse to educate students.

Domestic violence tends to be looked at as a women’s issue with mostly women providing the support, but the staff encourages men to volunteer for its programs also. “We’re looking for a few good men,” Rudd said. “Guys play a big part in preventing violence, and tend to be more interested in listening to guys.”

On paper domestic violence in the Fresno State community does not seem to be a major issue, Vargas said, but it is a huge problem at Fresno State.

The Cleary report is an annual report done on every campus which compiles all the crime statistics, including sex offenses and aggravated assault, on and around campus.

“Even though the report doesn’t show a high number of incidents that is not to say it isn’t happening or that the need [for help] is not there,” Vargas said.

Most instances of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking go unreported. Also many cases of verbal and emotional abuse escalate to domestic violence unless help is sought out.

Braun’s friend is only seeking the advice of her friends who are not aware of all the resources out there to help her.

“I think she’s become so insecure and afraid that nobody else would want her,” said Braun. “I would definitely attend the workshop, and try to help more people than just her with the information.”

Workshops are held every third Tuesday of the month until December from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Women’s Resource Center.

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