The University of Central Florida will honor the lives of domestic violence victims and host a discussion about the impact intimate partner violence has on the community during the 7th annual Light Up the Night event.
Light Up the Night is held each October as an observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event, put on by UCF Victim Services, will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union. It is open to the public.
Attendees will hear from a UCF student and alumna who are survivors of domestic violence, as well as from a local judge, deputy and advocate who all work with incidents of intimate partner violence.
A presentation called “An Empty Place at the Table” will illuminate the deadly effects of abuse and memorialize domestic violence victims with ties to UCF.
Campus and community organizations that serve victims of domestic abuse also will table at the event to answer questions and provide resources.
Throughout the month of October, students, faculty, staff and members of the community can contribute to the Clothesline Project, a national effort give survivors of domestic abuse an opportunity to express their emotions by decorating a t-shirt.
T-shirts can be painted and decorated to speak out against domestic violence from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays during Market Day. The shirts will be hung inside the Student Union throughout October.
To learn more about UCF Victim Services, visit http://victimservices.ucf.edu/about-us.
If you’ve been involved in intimate partner violence and would like to speak with an advocate, you can reach one 24/7 by calling 407-823-1200.