Baylor’s Rosenbalm Fountain to “Light the Night” in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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WACO, Texas (Oct. 12, 2022) – Baylor University’s Rosenbalm Fountain will “Light the Night” with purple lights at dusk on Wednesday, Oct. 12, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Purple represents DVAM as a symbol of peace, dignity, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence.

Baylor joins national efforts to advocate against domestic violence, mourn the loss of those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the progress the movement has made and connect each other with a sense of unity to end domestic violence.

Through the Baylor Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, students can report sexual and interpersonal misconduct related incidents and receive the resources they need to navigate difficult life experiences.

Contact the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office for Title IX concerns, violations or resources:

• Phone: 254-710-8454
• Email: titleix_coordinator@baylor.edu
• Online reporting: baylor.edu/titleix
• Anonymous reporting: baylor.edu/ethicspoint

Additional resources, such as confidential campus services, can be found on the Title IX website. 

If a student or member of the Baylor community needs to make a report that requires emergency assistance, please call 911 or contact the Baylor University Police Department at 254-710-2222.

During a 24-hour survey in 2021 of domestic violence programs across the nation, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) discovered that 70,032 adults and children found refuge and help on the survey day. However, there were an additional 9,444 requests for services on the survey day that were unmet because of a lack of resources. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports that one in four women and one in nine men have experienced some form of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. The NCADV also reports that college-age women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.

DVAM evolved from the Day of Unity conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and first held in October 1981. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marked the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since then, such legislation has passed every year with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential and anonymous support 24/7 and is available at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.