Niagara University Hosts “Living in Light” to Promote Awareness of Domestic Violence

Artwork reflecting the journeys, experiences, hopes, and dreams of the survivors of domestic violence who created them were on display Oct. 6 at the Castellani Art Museum on the Niagara University campus.

Now in its ninth year, "Living in Light," presented by Niagara University's Office of Violence Prevention & Education and its community partners, aims to raise awareness about dating violence and provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the services and resources available.

The event was held in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in connection with the Red Flag Campaign, a national public awareness initiative designed to encourage college students to intervene when they see a warning sign ("red flag") of partner violence. In support of this campaign, red flags with campus dating violence statistics were displayed on the lawn of Gacioch Circle.

"Dating and domestic violence affects our community, but together, we have the power to change that," said Emily Pike, director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Education. "At Niagara, we're building a culture where everyone plays a role in creating safer relationships and supporting one another. By coming together to raise awareness and connect with local services and resources, we're taking an important step toward building the supportive, violence-free campus community we all deserve. Change starts with each of us, and it begins with awareness."

Exhibits included "Animal Allies," a collection created by children to symbolize their life journeys; "Harmony in Healing," a display of colorful beaded windchimes that use sound and art to foster emotional release and empowerment; "Healing Hearts," which represented the hearts of survivors of domestic violence in colors that they compared to those found on the Chakra Color Chart; "Niagara's Light in the Darkness," a display of purple lights forming the letters "NU," created by Niagara University students who pledged to stand in solidarity with victims of domestic abuse; "Voices of a Survivor, Visions of Strength," which highlighted the courage of survivors who shared their experiences through stories and black and white photos; and "Walking on Egg Shells," a display created with clay and found art items to express the impact of abusive relationships.

In addition to the artwork, the event featured an exhibit of ribbon skirts and shirts designed and created by members of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as a way of showing unity and sisterhood for missing and murdered Indigenous women; and the "Silent Witness Project," a reconstruction of a national traveling memorial honoring the 32 individuals from Niagara County who were killed in acts of domestic violence-five more than were part of the exhibit last year. "The Clothesline Project," a collection of T-shirts with messages to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, was displayed both inside and outside of the museum.

Several community organizations collaborated to host the event, including Pinnacle Community Services, the Castellani Art Museum, the Child Advocacy Center of Niagara, Niagara County Sheriff's Office Victim Assistance Unit & DV Intervention Program, the Seven Dancers Coalition, and the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.

The inaugural exhibit was held in 2016 and organized by Dr. Dana Radatz, associate professor of criminology & criminal justice and director of the graduate program in criminal justice administration, and Dr. Jennifer Beebe, professor of the clinical mental health counseling program. Both professors are still actively involved in its organization.

"The Living in Light event provides a unique opportunity for campus and community members to learn more about domestic violence through the lens of survivors and victims within Niagara County," said Dr. Radatz. "Furthermore, attendance at the event allows campus and community members to show their support and bear witness to the messages shared by survivors through their artwork."

"One of the most important things we as a community can do is promote awareness and education surrounding domestic violence, as well as encourage victims to come forward and feel supported, to make sure they have a voice, and to show we care and know that help is available," said Dr. Beebe. "This is especially important to a university campus, as individuals aged 18-24 are most at risk for domestic and dating violence victimization. We believe that in order to reduce domestic violence, we need to increase awareness and education, and provide a voice for the often oppressed and silenced."

Resource tables staffed by the community partners offered information about services available, and donations were accepted to support Passage House Domestic Violence Services at Pinnacle Community Services.