October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Ohio University holds various events throughout the month to spread information to students about domestic violence and the resources available to them. These events are primarily organized by THRiVE, the Office of Health Promotion and the Survivor Advocacy Program.
One of the first events is Day of Unity on Wednesday, where students can wear purple and pick up ribbons in the Office of Health Promotion, Baker Center room 330.
Stephanie Maccombs-Hunter is the associate director for Counseling and Psychological Services, director for outreach and health promotion, and a part of the THRiVE engagement team.
Maccombs-Hunter said the purpose of these events is to promote safe spaces, inform people of the signs of interpersonal or domestic violence and empower the community to intervene and provide support to survivors.
Striving to educate viewers on specific signs of domestic violence, the interactive screening of “Twilight” will be held at The Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Attendees will receive red, yellow and green flags to hold up during the film. The first 50 people receive free popcorn and drinks.
Maccombs-Hunter said it is important to educate college-aged students on being able to recognize signs of violence.
“It's also common that domestic violence happens in young adulthood, young relationships, so it's a prime audience to provide this prevention, this education, this training to,” Maccombs-Hunter said. “It’s a key time of your development and your life to share this information.”
Taylor Ebert works as an advocate through the Survivor Advocacy Program, where she provides a safe space for survivors. Students can meet with an advocate confidentially for a variety of therapy services after scheduling online.
The Survivor Advocacy Program is hosting two events Wednesday. One is an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lindley Hall room 041. Staff, students and faculty are invited to walk through the space and meet the team to get people familiar with it in case they ever need to visit.
Later in the day, the Survivor Speak Out is from 6-8 p.m. at Scripps Amphitheater. Survivors and supporters can share their stories with a mandatory reporting exemption.
“The hardest part is making that first step and coming through the door here to tell somebody,” Ebert said. “They're never expected to share details or report; they're totally in control of what their choices look like, and it can be extremely intimidating to come forward. But they are not alone, and there are resources for them.”
Kelly Madewell is the executive director of My Sister's Place, a domestic violence agency for anyone experiencing interpersonal violence in Athens. With an emergency shelter, the agency also helps with outreach, counseling, court advocacy and case management.
Additionally, they have a kennel where people can bring dogs and cats if they are at risk of abuse.
“Domestic violence is so common and yet people still often feel embarrassed about saying that it's happening to them and reaching out for help,” Madewell said. “Something like a Domestic Violence Awareness Month can help to normalize getting help.”
Maria York is the policy director for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, primarily working on policy initiatives to form state laws that aim to help survivors.
York said since 2023, there has been a 32% increase in people seeking shelter services through ODVN, with 19,200 people seeking emergency shelter in 2025.
“When you reduce the stigma, when we're getting it out in the community that this is not a private event, you're not alone, I think more people are comfortable to reach out,” York said.
Other events being held on campus in October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month include Flannels and Firepits, Ask a Peer Educator, Practical Magic: The Power of Yes and No and Spooky Sips and Safe Relationships.
