Harper College marks Domestic Violence Awareness Week

Harper College will mark Domestic Violence Awareness Week with an event called “Stand Up Week: Let Your Voice be Heard,” featuring presentations by experts from local social service agencies and women’s support groups.

Courtney Schaefer, medical and legal associate and sexual assault specialist from Northwest Action Against Rape, will speak at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 in Room A238, Student Center, Building A about the services that Northwest CASA (Center Against Sexual Assault) provides, as well as how domestic violence affects a victim and their family.

Debbie Wilieko, founder and president of Advocacy, Living and Mentoring After Assault, will share her own story, offer statistics regarding sexual violence, and discuss the need to create awareness of sexual violence at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Room A238, Student Center, Building A.

April Fehrenbacher, court advocate for Between Friends, a nonprofit agency “dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence,” will address how the courts handle cases involving domestic abuse and violence against women, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, in Room D233, Building D.

Christy Humphrey, a family advocate and certified domestic violence professional, from WINGS, Women in Need Growing Stronger, will share a survivor’s story and discuss the services WINGS provides and how to obtain them, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 in Room D233, Building D.

A display from The Clothesline Project, with shirts decorated by survivors or victims’ loved ones will be displayed from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Student Center Lounge, 2nd Floor, Building A. The shirts tell women’s stories in order to connect with other survivors, a key part of healing and ending the violence.

“Stand Up Week: Let Your Voice Be Heard” is free. For details call the Harper College Student Activities Office at (847) 925-6242.