Students, community take a stand against violence

A rainbow of handprints filled a banner on the campus of Troy University Wednesday – each a pledge to do no harm to others and stand up for victims of violence.

The Troy University Sexual Assault and Violence Education Project hosted their annual “These Hands Don’t Hurt” campaign, which is a campus-wide effort in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

On Wednesday, S.A.V.E. invited all Troy students and staff, as well as community members, to visit the Bibb Graves Quad and pace their handprints on the event banner to signify their commitment to a violence-free campus.

The S.A.V.E Project also placed posters, banners, and safety and prevention flyers around the campus and shared statistics and information via social media.

“For over 10 years, we have organized and hosted this event to raise awareness against violence among women,” said Fran Scheel, counselor and coordinator of personal counseling and sexual assault and violence education.

Scheel said through the participants handprints, they are pledging to not commit or condone any type of violence, and they are taking a stance against domestic violence.

Students just passing through the quad between classes were more than eager to show their support and chose which color of paint would best represent them.

“I do not believe in domestic violence and it is not just in older couples, but it occurs in high school and a lot of college couples,” said Tiauna Sam, a senior social work major from Texas.

Brittany Mcrae, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice from Troy, said a lot of young girls hold their abuse in and are too scared to say anything about it until it’s too late. She, too, placed her handprints on the banner.

Faculty members also stopped by to make their voices heard through a handprint pledge.

Dr. Laura Burmeister, assistant professor of anthropology, said she has had a few students open up to her about abuse and violence this month alone. “I have been up that road before and I want to show anyone I can my support,” she said.

After the completion of the banner, it will be displayed in the Trojan Center for the entire month.