Shaquille Blackstock
       Staff Writer

The Greensboro chapter of Alpha Chi Omega-Zeta Xi, a sorority on campus, just wrapped up its fundraising event for victims of domestic violence.

The fundraising work helped to bring attention to domestic violence, an issue that makes little news in the media, but affects more people, primarily women, than most are aware of.

The Carolinian spoke with Alpha Chi Omega-Zeta Xi’s Vice President of Philanthropy, Jessica Rea, as to why the sorority takes such a special interest in domestic violence.

Rea said that domestic violence awareness is often an afterthought on college campus, but that it should be prioritized because, “The prime years [of domestic violence sufferers] are between 18 and 23 years old. There is not one demographic population that suffers from domestic violence. Domestic violence can affect male or female, any age and any race. One in 4 women are affected by domestic violence, while 1 in 7 men are affected by domestic violence in their lifetimes.”

Rea explained that one of the reasons domestic violence isn’t thought of as an epidemic that affects young people is because of silence, and the fear of stigma arising from young victims who want to speak up.

In an effort to mediate stigma at UNCG, Rea said, “My sisters and I partner with Student Health Services here on campus during the Clothesline Project and Take Back the night to bring more awareness to domestic violence.”

The huge rock by the cafeteria complex, referred to as the rawk, was the major stage for the fundraiser. Sorority members camped outside the rawk and asked for donations for their cause.

Of their donation efforts, Rea said, “Rawk-sit and Mr. Alpha Chi served as our main awareness and fundraising events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The money we raise from both events goes to Alpha Chi Omega’s National Philanthropy, Domestic Violence Awareness, and to our local domestic violence shelter, The Freedom House in Reidsville, North Carolina. This semester I set a goal for how much money I wanted my sisters and me to raise of $1,000. After our 72-hour rawk-sit and Mr. Alpha Chi, my sisters and I raised over $1,500. I’m so proud of everyone’s hard work during the rawk-sit and very grateful for everyone who donated money or just stopped by to hang out.”

Of other campus initiatives, Rea detailed information about The Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night.

“[The] Clothesline Project takes place on the Library Lawn in late August/early September every year and it is where students can ‘air out their dirty laundry.’ Students write their stories on a t-shirt and hang it on the clothesline for other students to see. Take Back the Night is when we march around campus chanting about ending domestic violence, and once the march concludes, there is a candlelight [vigil] and a moment of silence in honor of the survivors, followed by an open mic for students to share their stories. Resources here on campus include Student Health, the UNCG Police and Title IX,” said Rea.

When asked about the history of domestic violence awareness related to the sorority, Rea said, “Alpha Chi Omega nationally decided to take on this philanthropy about twenty years ago because it affects college women. Our altruism is, “Real Strong Women,” and we strive to live by this daily. It is amazing to see survivors tell their stories and use it as motivation to be a better person and inspire other survivors to speak up and to speak out.”