In order to raise community awareness about the growing number of statistics of violence against women, several local and campus organizations will hold week-long events to support women who have survived violence, a organization representatives says.

Women’s Safety Week starts today and runs through Saturday. This week’s events are in conjunction with National Domestic Awareness Month.

Mary Kay Bachman, Women’s Center Shelter coordinator, is scheduled to give the opening address at a workshop titled Myths, Facts and Stats About Domestic Violence, And How To Leave Smart. The workshop will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Kaskaskia Room of the Student Center.

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The speech will give a statement about the upcoming week and will center around the impact of domestic violence on women in the United States, Bachman said.

Violence goes on in the sanctity of the home, she said. We are not even safe in our homes.

Bachman said she will show a film titled Escape the Abuse…Leaving Smart at the program The film explains how to leave an abusive household and where to go for help, she said.

Some women don’t leave abusive homes because they are scared, she said. Some feel they don’t have a safe place to go, are trapped financially or have strict religious beliefs.

Bachman said the talk 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.

On Wednesday, the BrotherPeace rally will take place at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Church Fellowship Hall. The BrotherPeace rally is sponsored by the National Organization for Men Against Sexism, a group that supports positive changes in men.

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Bryan Crow, a representative for the orgganization, said the rally is a chance for men to speak out aganist violence towards women.

Safety is not just a women’s issue, he said. Men need to influence other men that might show violent tendencies.

Crow said most of the speakers at the rally will be men, but everyone is invited to come. He said one of the discussions will offer twelve ideas on how men can contribute to the fight against violence.

Barb Fijolek, a representative from the SIUC Wellness Center, said she will give a speech titled Women, Wine, and Wellness Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Katkaskia room of the Student Center.

Fijolek said drinking can lead to mixed physical perceptions which may lead to sexual assaults.

My talk will focus on a safer, healthier way to drink, she said.

On Friday, the annual Take Back the Night march and rally will be held at 7 p.m. and begins at SIUC Interfaith Center.

Leslie Strategier, a campus safety representative, said all people recognizing violence are encouraged to participate.

Everyone affected directly or indirectly by violence should march, she said. The idea is for anyone who recognizes violence should come together to bring attention to the violence against women.

Also, a sexual assualt awareness workshop will take place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Ohio room of the Student Center. Self defense classes will be offered Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center Aerobic room. On Saturday, a benefit run for the Women’s Center will take place at 9:30 a.m. at Evergreen Park.