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Silhouettes carry message for Silent Witness Campaign against domestic violence

Three red silhouettes in the shape of a woman's body are on display in Nelson Hall corridors through the month of February.

Each includes a small note about a North Carolina woman who was murdered as a result of domestic violence. Seven other silhouettes are on display elsewhere across the NC State University campus. As a group, they represent women ages 15 to 40 who were murdered in various locations throughout the state, including in Cameron Village.

All are part of the Silent Witness Project being hosted by NC States Women’s Center, which is participating in a national effort to increase awareness and education about the impact of domestic violence in the community. The silhouettes have been on display in various locations across campus since October 2013. Poole College is the first academic unit to host the displays.

“Providing our students –  regardless of the business field they will be entering – with an awareness of the reality of domestic violence and access to information about how to help those affected by it is an important part of their preparation for the workforce,” said Dr. Shannon Davis, associate dean for undergraduate programs and professor of human resources. 

Equally important is raising awareness among our students that this is a real problem in all areas of society, including student life. By participating in this awareness project, we hope to alert our students, faculty and staff that resources are available to help on campus and in the business community,” said Roshaunda Breeden, coordinator of diversity and student involvement at Poole College.

The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) has collected information regarding domestic violence homicides in North Carolina since January 1, 2002. In 2012 there were 63 reported domestic violence homicides including 10 in the Triangle, the NC State Women’s Center states on its website.

The NCCADV values statement, available on the organization's website, states, "domestic violence is a pattern of domination in which perpetrators intentionally choose to cause fear, injury, and/or pain in order to gain and maintain power and control over their partners. In addition to physical violence, abuse can be sexual, emotional, economic, and can include stalking.” 

Domestic violence can affect the workplace, leading to increased absenteeism, turnover, higher health care costs and sharply decreased productivity, according to a question/answer section on the Society for Human Resource Management website. The website includes steps that employers are encouraged to take to help victims of domestic violence. 

Read more:

Silent Witness National Initiative 
Silent Witness goals

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This image is from a Silent Witness Campaign display in a state capital building. Credit: Silent Witness Campaign resources.