South Stands Against Violence Toward Women Through V-Day Events

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Posted on February 12, 2019

Joy Washington

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The University of South Alabama will join the global movement aimed at ending violence against women and girls during its “V-Day: Until the Violence Stops” events on Feb. 13 and Feb. 27.

In “We Need to Talk!” with Janine Latus, the bestselling author and advocate will discuss the spectrum of sexual assault and relationship abuse at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the USA Student Center Ballroom. This event is free and open to the public.

Latus, an award-winning journalist, advocate and author of the international bestseller “If I Am Missing or Dead,” has spoken on sexual assault and intimate partner violence to the United States Navy, universities, shelters, family justice centers and corporations as well as written for magazines such as O, The Oprah Magazine; Parents, Fitness, and Woman’s Day. She continues to focus on magazine stories and is currently working on her upcoming book.

The second event, a performance of “A Memory, A Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer,” will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the USA Student Center Ballroom. Admission is $5 and the event is open to the public.

“V-Day honors the resilient, strong and inspiring women, men and transgender community members who survive and encourage their stories,” said Dr. Krista Harrell, associate dean of students and Title IX coordinator. “I am involved with and direct V-Day USA because I want to raise my voice and take action against violence, oppression and exploitation of women and girls worldwide.”

The V-Day monologues will feature Harrell and several South Alabama students sharing personal stories from survivors of sexual abuse, assault and violence as well as empowering individuals to join the movement.

“I want to use my voice to help end violence against women and girls and V-Day gives a platform for survivors of sexual violence to share their stories,” said Addison Grissett, a senior majoring in speech and hearing sciences in the College of Allied Health Professions. “As a group, we have the opportunity to continue sharing their stories and shedding light on an issue that affects every single person.”

The V-Day global activist movement at South annually raises funds to support counseling and violence prevention centers such as Lifelines Counseling Services and the Rape Crisis Center of Mobile. In 2018, the organization donated $720. This year, all proceeds will benefit the Penelope House.

Globally, the movement has raised more than $100 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the goal of ending it locally, nationally and internationally.

These events present adult content and are sponsored by the V-Day Committee, USA Student Affairs, Jaguar Productions and Student Government Association. For more information, contact Grissett at arg1524@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

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