Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 6, 2022

Dear RBHS Community,

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences continues its commitment to build a culture of respect by recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The month is a time for our community to show support to survivors who have experienced relationship violence and by speaking up when witnessing any harassing, controlling, and/or abusive behaviors.

The RBHS Office for Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA) has developed effective programming to bring awareness to the issue, and the impact of domestic violence, by asking everyone to promote healthy relationships and to address attitudes that support the cycle of abuse. Rutgers believes that having these conversations in the open empowers everyone within our institution to engage in active prevention and to support those who need it most.

In October, RBHS will Turn the Campus Purple, a university-wide effort to bring attention to domestic violence by encouraging RBHS faculty, staff, and students to Put On Your Purple on Wednesday, October 12th. This date also marks National Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day, a dedicated reminder for those in health sciences to support survivors and be trauma-informed in the work we do. For more on how you can participate in this month’s activities, visit  https://go.rutgers.edu/dvam22.

We know that violence thrives in silence, so we ask all RBHS members to speak up against harmful behaviors. For survivors, we remind you that you are not alone and that we have resources to help you.

For more on support services, please don’t hesitate to call or text VPVA at 973-972-4636. Thank you so much for doing your part to address relationship violence and to promote a healthy campus at RBHS.

Best wishes,

Kerry Camerer, LSW
Director & Counselor
RBHS Office for Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance

Bishr Omary
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences