VGCC South Campus observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus held a program to educate students about domestic violence on Oct. 20. The month of October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is associated with the color purple. Students were encouraged to wear purple, and purple ribbons were distributed. The VGCC Student Government Association co-sponsored the event.
After welcoming remarks from South Campus Dean Cecilia Wheeler and an invocation by VGCC Business Administration instructor Delton Farmer, attendees heard from Kim Henley, youth services and development advocate at Families Living Violence Free, Granville County’s domestic violence and rape crisis center. Henley reported that there were 12 deaths related to domestic violence in Granville County during the past year. She specifically wanted to educate students about “bystander intervention,” she said, because “domestic violence affects younger adults most of all.” She added, “One person stepping forward can make a huge difference in stopping bullying and violence, but it’s a hard thing to do. I challenge you to be the bystander who makes a difference in your school.”
The featured guest speaker for the program was Cessel J. Boyd, a licensed professional counselor. Boyd, a Creedmoor resident and Warren County native, has 15 years of experience in behavioral health. She discussed the characteristics of abusers and abusive relationships. “Abusers are very nice to their victims at the beginning,” Boyd advised her audience. “People will show you who they are, if you give them a chance, so pay attention.” She noted that abusers isolate their victims from people who can support them, and try to control everything they do. “Surround yourself with people who appreciate you and communicate positively to you,” Boyd said. “You all have bright futures.” Citing statistics she had obtained from local law enforcement, she emphasized that “domestic violence is not something that is somewhere else; it’s here in this community, and it affects all of us.”
The program concluded with Granville Early College High School student Jessica Burney reciting a poem, “Remember My Name,” by Kimberly Collins. The dramatic poem tells a story from the perspective of a deceased domestic violence victim.
Families Living Violence Free can be reached at (919) 693–5700 (office), (919) 528–3579 (24-hour crisis line) or at .
Above: At the conclusion of the Domestic Violence Awareness Day program at VGCC’s South Campus in Granville County, a group of participants stands in front of a bulletin board on which students and college employees signed cards pledging to “take a stand” against domestic violence. They include, from left, South Campus library/open lab technician Roberta Freeman, who coordinated the domestic violence awareness program; Cessel J. Boyd, the featured guest speaker; Granville Early College High School student Jessica Burney, who recited a poem during the program; Kim Henley, youth services and development advocate at Families Living Violence Free; Geraldine Cash, South Campus administrative assistant; and Delton Farmer, a VGCC Business Administration instructor. (VGCC photo)
More photos: Check out our album of pictures from this program on Flickr .
