Relationship Violence Awareness Month (RVAM) brings people together to create and generate discussion and skill-building on how to prevent relationship violence in our schools, workplaces, and communities, Since most of our campus remains learning and working remotely, we won’t be able to physically come together this October to do this critical work in person… but it doesn’t mean that learning is cancelled!

The Women’s Center has been creating weekly postings to help guide your self-learning that we’ll share with you each week in October. We’re already at our final week – week 4! Below is a short list of relevant webinars or events, podcasts or blogs, and on and off-campus resources dedicated to cultivating awareness about relationship violence, posting your skills and knowledge around the intersecting issues, and increasing access to important resources.

While some of the learning content we’re sharing is all-encompassing, we’re also narrowing down on  few key themes this year to include: The Covid-Crossings of Relationship Violence, Relationship Violence’s Matrix of Oppression, and Un/Healthy Relationships for Young Adults. Through self-guided learning, you can dig deeper by listening to a podcast, reading a blog, attending a webinar and more. 

We’ll also be sharing this content on social media so let us know what you’re learning or what questions you have in the comments! 

• These images are from Women’s Center Clothesline Project, which occurs twice a year. It is a way for survivors to share their stories and experiences with sexual violence, and as one can see from the images, no survivor experience is the same. You can learn more about the Clothesline project here. Due to the Pandemic the project is not accepting projects, but will be back once the campus is fully open.
• Campuses all over the country are becoming more aware of how domestic violence affects the lives of college students. This article details the experience of a survivor in college, and how college campuses are helping to support survivors despite policy obstacles.
• This vlog was created by the One Love Foundation provides an in-depth view of what an abusive relationship looks like, behind the “couple goals” posts on social media. Please note that this video may be triggering to some as it contains images of violence.
• The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence is an off-campus resource that includes hotlines which can help survivors access shelter, counseling, legal information, and referrals to other services.
• This podcast from “I’m not in an Abusive Relationship” gives Jen’s account of her experience with dating violence at the age of 15. Even though she was still in high-school, and living with her parents.
• Reminder: The Office of Equity and Inclusion’s SafeColleges mandatory training program is due November 1st. UMBC’s Faculty and Staff must complete their training by December 11th.