The domestic violence epidemic reaches all nationalities in all geographic locations, and Naseem Ahmed says education is the first step toward change.

SIUC, the Women’s Center and the Illinois Migrant Council are working to create an awareness of domestic violence including the impact on children, laws and options for victims and their violators.

And through a presentation offered on campus Tuesday, Domestic Violence Awareness:A Program for International Students and Spouses, the organizations hope to extend those realizations to the SIUC international community, as well as the local migrant farming community.

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At an afternoon meeting in the Student Center Video Lounge, about 20 representatives from resource centers dealing with domestic violence gathered to discuss rights and compensations for both victims and abusers of domestic violence.

The presentation was part of the month-long International Festival ’98 celebrating 50 years of international student enrollment at SIUC.

The attempt to educate local migrant farm workers and SIUC’s international students and spouses has run into cultural language and custom barriers that hinder knowledge of rights and options to those in violent domestic situations.

Ahmed, assistant director of Women and International Development, has helped form a program that would reach these victims who may face obstacles such as isolation and dependency on their spouses for travel visas.

The program evolved almost three years ago from a survey in which 104 students expressed concern about domestic violence among the international community.

It began with single workshop and has now expanded to films, discussions, handouts and other materials in seven different languages because of a $47,000 grant from the Illinois Health and Human Services Department.

Ahmed said the program strives toward three goals and already progress is evident.

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We have a wonderful program, she said. Campuses across the United States look up to us as pioneers for this kind of programming. We hope to share information with other universities.

First, she hopes international males and females understand domestic violence is illegal. Second, Ahmed believes it is imperative migrant workers and international students realize they can do something about domestic violence whether it occurs in their own homes or if they know others with domestic violence problems.

Finally, the program is intended to encourage the international community to bring what they have learned in the United States to their native communities.

Ahmed, feeling as though she has only played a small part in spreading awareness, has achieved positive feedback in her native country of Bangladesh by introducing a women’s group and shelter there for victims of domestic violence.

Helping the abused is a main concern for those advocating the prevention of domestic violence, but rehabilitation for abusers who can be male or female is just as essential.

Michael Sepich is a counselor for the Domestic Violence Program of the Southern Illinois Regional Social Services where he focuses on teaching men how to be proactive rather than passive and violent.

A lot of them have all this frustration that builds and builds and they eventually become violent, he said. Men want to treat their partners right, but they don’t have the faintest idea how to go about doing it.

Through education, not only can victims and abusers find rehabilitation and counseling, but friends and families can help as well, Ahmed said.

Many people say I’m not suffering from domestic violence. It’s not for me,’ she said. They don’t understand that everyone can help.

Factoid:For help with domestic abuse problems call:The Women’s Center at 1-800-334-2094

The Child Abuse hot line at 1-800-252-2873

For information about domestic abuse call:The Illinois State’s Attorney’s office at 687-7200

Southern Illinois Regional Social Services at 457-6703

The Women’s Center at 453-3655

SIUC Women’s Services at 536-4441

SIUC Clinical Center at 453-2361