On Oct. 22, EPCC held its annual Domestic Violence workshop at Valle Verde as part of Domestic Violence Month.
This year’s guest speaker was Cynthia Morales, program development director for the Center Against Family Violence.
“A healthy relationship makes you feel good about yourself,” said Morales. “If you don’t feel good about the relationship, then maybe you should get some help.”
Morales has worked at the center for seven years. According to criminal justice instructor Michelle C.
Watkins, one of every three people experience domestic violence in their lives.
Morales said domestic violence does not necessarily come from family. “It can come from confrontations at work, school or verbal abuse from a friend or roommate,” Morales said.
“Everybody should know about it,” said EPCC student Carrie Gentil.
Watkins explained that it is important for faculty to understand that students go to school with outside problems on their mind. If faculty and staff can recognize the signs of abuse, they can offer help.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 21 percent of men and women who attend college experience domestic violence.
In 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act, which allows women to put incorrect or alternate addresses on their drivers licenses to avoid detection from abusers.
According to the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence, annual physical assaults on women are up to 1.3 million and for men 835,000. In statistics developed by the University of Texas at Austin women ages 16 to 24 experience domestic violence the most.
“The most important thing is to be safe,” Watkins said. “When leaving a relationship, you should plan it. The average woman leaves seven times before they leave for good.”
To contact the Center Against Family Violence, call 593-7300.
