NSU will be one of several universities represented at the seventh annual College Brides Walk held at Barry University on Feb. 27. The walk is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic and dating violence.
Both the NSU chapters of Delta Kappa Omicron (DKO) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be attending the walk at Barry.
“The AAUW is concerned with equity for women and domestic violence is an issue that greatly impacts the health and creates negative outcomes for women,” said Kara Erolin, assistant professorin the deparment of family therapy and board member for the AAUW.
Gladys Ricart, who was murdered on her wedding day by an ex-boyfriend in 1999, inspired the College Brides Walk. According to the walk’s website, two years later Josie Ashton walked 1,300 miles in her wedding dress from Ricart’s home to Miami Florida. In 2010, The College Brides Walk, which focuses on dating violence and sexual assault on college campuses, began and has been held at Barry University, since.
“The Brides Walk is an annual reminder that there are survivors of sexual abuse and dating violence. It’s also a safe space to talk openly about these issues,” said Molly Scanlon, assistant professor in the department of writing and communication and member of the professional chapter of the AAUW.
Randi Sims, president of the professional chapter of the AAUW said that the walk “draws attention to some women [who] are still being abused by the men who are supposed to love them.”
Traditionally, participants in the walk in wedding dresses, although this is not a requirement. The walk also features workshops and discussions about how to address, combat and prevent domestic violence and dating violence. Sims said that it is important for college students and women in general to recognize that domestic and dating violence is still an issue.
“18-24 year olds are the highest at-risk group for sexual assault or dating violence, which is appropriate for anyone that works in higher education” said Scanlon.
According to Sims and Scanlon, students are welcome to join DKO and the AAUW at the walk. Students will have to provide their own transportation to the walk. The opening ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. in the Broad Auditorium at Barry University.
For more information on the College Brides Walk visit CollegeBridesWalk.com. If you are interested in attending the walk with DKO and the AAUW, please RSVP at dko@nova.edu by Feb. 12.
