Oct. 11-15 events celebrate 'Week Without Violence'

Oct. 11-15 will mark the celebration of "Week Without Violence" at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Events for the week will focus around the theme, "I can make UNL a safer place for women."

The following events will be sponsored by the UNL Women's Center, in cooperation with Student Involvement, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Love Memorial Hall, the Culture Center, Sigma Psi Zeta, the Office of Trio Programs, Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services (OASIS), the Women's Studies Program, and the Women's Studies Association.

Oct. 11-15: A canned food and paper products drive to benefit Friendship Home, a crisis assistance center in Lincoln for victims of domestic violence in Lincoln, will be held in conjunction with all events. Donations will also be accepted in the Women's Center, 340 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Any non-perishable food item or paper product (toilet paper, etc.) is welcome. Canned food products that are high in protein (beans, chicken, peanut butter) are especially needed.

Oct. 11: Speak-Out Against Violence, 1:30-3 p.m., Union Square, Nebraska Union. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to take a stand against violence. Speakers may represent themselves or speak on behalf of an organization or department.

"Knitting a Non-Violent Future," 7 p.m., Women's Center, 340 Nebraska Union. Jocelyn Lippincott Reese uses the traditional art of knitting to express her concerns about violence. Reese will bring examples of her work and teach knitting techniques to empower workshop participants to express their own views. Novice and experienced knitters are welcome.

Oct. 12: "Nap-In Against Violence," 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nebraska Union (room posted). Stress and sleep deprivation can contribute to aggressive behavior. Members of the UNL community are invited to take a break from their daily routine in an environment where people can relax for a while or sleep if they choose. Participants may bring a pillow (or a backpack), learn stress reduction techniques, get a free chair massage, or just snooze.

"Woman to Woman," 6:30-8 p.m., Love Memorial Hall, East Campus. "Woman to Woman" is an informal discussion about relationship violence and women. Refreshments will be provided.

Oct. 13: Read-In Against Violence, 1:30-3 p.m., Bailey Library, 229 Andrews Hall. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to take a stand by reading their own or others' writings on the topic of violence.

"Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin," 7 p.m., Culture Center, 333 N. 14th St. OASIS, in conjunction with Week Without Violence and GLBT History Month, will be showing "Brother Outsider" as part of its bi-weekly movie night program. For more information on the movie, visit www.rustin.org.

Oct. 14: "Domestic Violence in the African American Community" panel discussion, 7 p.m., Culture Center. Members of the African American Women and Domestic Violence Services Steering Committee will discuss the results of their 2003 study, which exposed many barriers for African American women who are victims of domestic violence in the Lincoln community.

Self-Defense Workshop, 7-9 p.m., Nebraska Union Ballroom. Dave Dibelka, UNL Police Department education and training coordinator, will present information to help participants reduce their risk of becoming victims of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. Information about resources for victims will also be presented. Key organizers for this workshop are the members of Sigma Psi Zeta sorority.

For more information about how to make UNL a safer place for women, visit http://si.unl.edu/endtheviolence.

CONTACT: Jan Deeds, Director, Women's Center, (402) 472-2598 (jdeeds1@unl.edu); or
Sara Holmes, Programming Assistant, Women's Center, (402) 472-2597 ext. 2