Linda A. Krutsinger 25

An 80-percent increase in one year in domestic violence crimes at SIUC places a greater emphasis on women’s programs during the Southern Illinois Women’s Safety Week, the executive director of the Women’s Center says.

To show support for victims of violence and increase community awareness about the growing number of victims of violence, several local and campus organizations will sponsor events throughout Southern Illinois Women’s Safety Week, which begins today and ends Friday.

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This week’s activities are part of the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which lasts until Oct. 31.

According to SIU Police reports, the number of domestic violence-related crimes increased from 10 to 18 from 1995 to 1996.

Mary Kay Bachman, executive director of The Women’s Center, 406 W. Mill St., said the increase may be a result of more victims feeling comfortable enough to come forward.

I don’t think the figures indicate an increase in violence as much as represent an increased awareness on the part of the victim to report domestic violence crimes, Bachman said.

Several local and campus organizations will take part in the week-long awareness campaign by sponsoring various activities focusing on domestic violence.

A domestic violence safety awareness program, sponsored by the Jackson County Family Violence Task Force, is scheduled to open the week’s events. The free program will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Carbondale Public Library, 405 W. Main St. The program, titled Love Shouldn’t Hurt, will address the right to healthy relationships.

The program will give a statement about the difference between a healthy relationship and an abusive one and will center around the impact of domestic violence on women in the United States, Bachman said.

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Bachman said the program is not only for abused women but for friends and neighbors who have witnessed domestic abuse signals.

A reception will follow the workshop, giving the audience a chance to talk with various agency representatives.

The feature film Death of the Maiden, starring Sigourney Weaver, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at the Longbranch Coffeehouse, 100 E. Jackson St.

In the film, Weaver comes to terms with a sexual assault by facing her perpetrator. Parental guidance is strongly suggested for people under 17, and admission if free.

We are having the program here to show community support against domestic violence, said Will Davis, manager of Longbranch Coffeehouse.

A self-defense class will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Recreation Center. It is open to any women from SIUC and surrounding communities. Women will be taught basic self-defense moves, as well as assertiveness skills and preventative awareness. Women should come dressed in loose-fitting clothing to participate. A $3 refundable fee is necessary to enter the Recreation Center for non-students.

The Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts honoring victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, will be on display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Faner Hall breezeway.

All of the shirts displayed will be color-coordinated by the type of assault each woman has survived. Other shirts will represent women who have been sexually assaulted, battered or attacked for their sexual orientation, and some will be tributes to those who have died at the hands of their perpetrators. People will be given the opportunity to create a shirt of their own.

On Friday, those wishing to participate in the annual Take Back the Night march and rally should meet at 7 p.m. at the Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave. This peaceful demonstration march will proceed to the Carbondale Downtown Pavilion, where a rally will begin at 7:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own candles.

The Safety Week activities are part of the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which lasts until Oct. 31. Activities scheduled for October throughout the SIUC campus will highlight various aspects of domestic violence and survival of domestic violence.

A presentation of Margaret Atwood’s novel Alias Grace will premier in Kleinau Theater at 8 p.m. Oct. 9. The play is a murder mystery based on the controversial conviction of Grace Marks, a 19th century servant girl who, at the age of 16, was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of her employer and his mistress.

On Oct. 15, an interdisciplinary panel will speak on topics pertaining to the writing about family violence, autobiographical fiction, urban violence and its effect on the family through experimental fiction, social science domestic violence and shaken-baby death at 3 p.m. in the Student Center’s Ohio Room.

Speakers will be Beth Lordon, an associate professor in English; Ricardo Cruz, an assistant professor in English; Ann-Janine Morey, director of the English Department; and Joan McDermott, an SIUC associate professor in administrative justice.

On Oct. 18, the River to River Runners are once again sponsoring a Run/Walk Benefit for the Carbondale Women’s Center. This race, scheduled for 9 a.m. at Evergreen Park, is for women only. Register for the benefit by calling Anne Knewitz, 457-5443.