Love Does Cost: SU Sheds light on Domestic Violence

The members of the Association of Women Students (AWS) brought students of Southern University together in Alice A. Boley Hall at 7 PM on Tuesday night to raise the awareness of domestic violence.
The idea of the event was to gather the students around to watch the movie What’s Love Got to Do with It and discuss similar domestic violence related events.
Even though the event didn’t receive the turn out AWS was hoping for, the students in attendance made up for it with the impactful stories and knowledge gained from the discussion as a whole.
The activity’s coordinator and Junior mass communications major, Deja Lodree of New Orleans, Louisiana, expressed her take on domestic violence as a whole.
“I believe that domestic violence is a real issue that we will all encounter in our life, whether it be personally or from afar as a friend. For anyone now that are experiencing this situation, they should definitely reach out and get help,” said Lodree.
During the viewing of the 1993 film, students reacted in “awe” and “oohs” as Golden Globe Award winner Angela Bassett and Academy Award nominee Laurence Fishburne reenacted the historic moments between Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Ana Mae Bullock AKA Tina Turner, and songwriter Ike Turner.
Even though the Turners earned much success in the music business, their relationship resulted in physical violence as Ike consistently assaulted Tina. As Tina’s recognition grew, so did Ike’s jealously and which in time worsened his attitude towards Tina.
In efforts to prevent such violence, Lodree asks victims, students and others to act now.
“If you are going through domestic violence or know someone that has encountered a similar situation, speak up immediately because your life depends on it. AWS cares,” said Lodree.
Students that attended the event felt as though SU should have more planned events like movies and discussions.
Senior Psychology major, Netoi Spears of Baton Rouge, Louisiana said she liked the event and gave some advice.
“I really enjoyed the event. It was very informative and my heart felt for the people that shared their domestic violence story,” said Spears, then ended, “It’s important to be there for your friends and listen to what to your friends have to say.”
Sophomore social work major, Shrayaa Hunter of Rayville, Louisiana shares what knowledge she gained from the event and gives her own advice as well.
“The best thing is when you have someone that you are close to in a domestic violence situation is to try to be there for them, even if you don’t agree with their reason for staying in that particular situation,” said Hunter, then ended, “Just follow the signs. It’s hard to read into the signs when you are talking to someone but just look out for them.”
According to www.ncadv.org, as of 2016 nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States has been raped in their lifetime. Almost half of female (46.7%) and male (44.9%) victims of rape in the United States were raped by an acquaintance. Of these, 45.4% of female rape victims and 29% of male rape victims were raped by an intimate partner.
Upcoming events for the AWS will be their AWS week. The date for their week will be announced in a further notice.