UNL to note Week Without Violence Oct. 12-15

Violence is a choice. Each person who commits violence, on some level, has made that choice. In this year's observance of Week Without Violence, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will remind students and the broader community to make the choice not to hurt others. Week Without Violence takes place Oct. 12-15, with a series of events to better understand and eliminate violence.

"This week reminds the UNL community that the power to end violence is in all of our hands," said Jan Deeds, UNL associate director of Gender Programs for Student Involvement and director of the UNL Women's Center. The Women's Center has coordinated Week Without Violence events for more than 10 years, and collaborates with other UNL and Lincoln groups to raise awareness about the affect violence has on all of us, and to empower us to create a safer environment for everyone.

Participants can make a personal commitment during the event "Our Hands are Not for Hurting" by pledging to use their hands in constructive and caring ways. The full list of events includes:

* Our Hands are Not for Hurting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 12-15, Nebraska Union and Nebraska East Union.

* "The Laramie Project" epilogue, Howell Theatre, Temple Building, 7-10 p.m., Oct. 12.

* Victim Services/Violence Prevention Agencies Meet and Greet, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 13, Women's Center, 340 Nebraska Union.

* "Sexpectations" to understand couples' unspoken expectations of one another, 7 p.m., Oct. 14, Nebraska Union.

* Wear Black on Thursday to support victims of violence, Oct. 15.

* Voices of Hope Open House and Candlelight Vigil, 5-7 p.m. (open house), 7 p.m. (vigil), Oct. 15, 2545 R St.

All events are free and open to the public. Volunteer opportunities are available during the Victim Services/Violence Prevention Agencies Meet and Greet. The interactive workshop "Sexpectations" creates an open dialogue to understand the unspoken expectations that can affect romantic relationships.

The Laramie Project Epilogue is a special event in conjunction with the LGBTQA History month. The "Epilogue" documents the return of Tectonic Theater Project to Laramie on the 10th anniversary of the murder of 19-year-old gay college student, Matthew Shepard, by two young men who encountered Shepard in a bar. "Laramie Project, 10 Years Later -- An Epilogue" investigates the long-term cultural impact of the murder and the collective memory of the community a decade after the event. Oct. 12 marks the anniversary of Shepherd's death. Playwright and director Moises Kaufman said, "We wanted to see what occurs in a small town in the long run when it's been subject to such a devastating event." Reserve tickets at http://unltheatretickets.universitytickets.com.

The week culminates at Voices of Hope, which provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and prevention services for the Lincoln community. Voices of Hope will host an open house followed by a candlelight vigil to close the week's events. See the calendar for times and locations.

UNL Week Without Violence is coordinated by the UNL Women's Center and co-sponsored by Voices of Hope and the following UNL departments and organizations: LGBTQA Resource Center; the Office of Academic Services and Intercultural Studies (OASIS); W.H. Thompson Scholars; Women's and Gender Studies Program; the Athletic Department; University Libraries; and Student Involvement Service Learning. For more information on UNL's Week without Violence events, visit http://involved.unl.edu/gender/womens_center.php.