Breaking the Silence at SBU’s Annual March Against Domestic Violence

The sound of drums echoed down the Academic Mall on October 29 as dozens of Stony Brook University students, staff and community members took part in the annual "Take a Stand/Walk With Me," an event aimed at raising awareness about relationship and domestic violence.

The march, led by the Spirit of Stony Brook marching band, dance team, and mascot Wolfie, marked the university's recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Participants held handmade signs with messages like "Love Shouldn't Hurt" and "Seawolves Break the Silence," mirroring the chants that carried across the Student Activities Center (SAC) Plaza.

"We want people to understand what violence looks like - verbal, physical, emotional, sexual," said Christine Szaraz, associate director of the Center for Prevention and Outreach(CPO) and survivor advocate. "We're here to say, 'Not here, not okay.' Violence thrives in silence… we're making a lot of noize and bringing it out of the shadows."

Before the march, tables lined the SAC Plaza for campus and community organizations including CPO, Counseling and Psychological Services, Planned Parenthood, ECLI Vibes, and Healthier U. Students stopped by to make purple care packages and learn about resources for prevention, safety, and survivor support.

Szaraz opened the event by shining light on the fact that 20% to 30% of college students experience some form of relationship violence. "Over half of college students say they wouldn't know how to recognize it or how to help a friend," she said. "It's not just a one-day-a-year thing, bringing awareness to these issues."

Richard Gatteau, vice president for Student Affairs, emphasized Stony Brook's commitment to survivor-centered and trauma-informed care. "At Stony Brook, you are not alone," Gatteau told the crowd. "Domestic violence has no place in our community. Ending it requires all of us, our students, faculty, and staff, working together to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and stand in solidarity with survivors."

Amanda Zhao, senior nursing student and CPO's VIPRE student assistant/peer educator, encouraged students to continue the conversation beyond the march. "Having educational workshops like One Loveis awesome," Zhao said, referring to CPO's program for recognizing signs for an unhealthy relationship. "What is even more awesome is that that's not the only resource and program that we offer to students."

As the march began, students chanted: "Seawolves, break the silence! We can end the violence!"

For Szaraz, that sound is the point. "This march has been happening for almost 20 years," she said. "And my favorite part every year is when the drummers lead us to represent that we will not be silent."

Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention, and Survivor Support Resources

On Campus

Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO): visit stonybrook.edu/cpo, call 631-457-9981 or email [email protected].

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): visit stonybrook.edu/caps, Crisis Line (631) 632-6720, choose option 2 or (855) 509-5742

SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Center: For more information, contact the Survivor Advocate.

Title IX: visit stonybrook.edu/titleix or call 631-632-6280

University Police Department: (631) 632-3333 from a cell phone, or 333 from a campus phone

Off-Campus

ECLI-VIBES: (631) 360-3606

Long Island Against Domestic Violence (LIADV): (631) 666-8833

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

One Love Foundation

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

-Lily Miller