MBU is hosting a series of events beginning Wednesday, Feb. 17 for the second annual Interpersonal Violence Awareness Week (IVAW). The series aims to shine light on issues surrounding the topics of sexual violence, stalking, dating and domestic violence.

“Interpersonal Violence Awareness Week is designed to educate and empower students to identify bad situations, stand up for themselves and each other, and recognize that they are not alone,” said Sarah Gibbs, career services program support assistant. “Missouri Baptist University believes that every person is created with inherent dignity and worth and as such deserves honor and respect.”

Gibbs also said IVAW is an opportunity for the University to come alongside students and foster an environment where students can seek out help for themselves or loved ones. Events throughout the week will offer students hope for the future by identifying warning signs, resources, and avenues for healing, along with opportunities to support the local non-profit It’s Your Birthday, Inc. That organization creates parties for children that have been in domestic violence situations.
Thursday, Feb. 18

Writing Lab Addresses Interpersonal Violence
2:00 – 4:00 p.m., The Perk
This is a come and go event that allows students to write quotes or thoughts about interpersonal violence on a large sheet of butcher paper that will be displayed in The Perk.

Conversation with Nurse Practitioner Lindsey Duesterhaus
3:00 p.m., The Perk
Students are invited to participate in an informal conversation with the University nurse practitioner about the physical and emotional effects caused by interpersonal violence.

Friday, Feb. 19*

“Signs of Abuse” Presentation
10:00 a.m., Performance Hall
Join in on a presentation led by MBU Professor of Social and Behavioral Science by Fred Crawford geared toward education, criminal justice, human services and psychology majors who may interact with those who have been abused in their future profession.

*The University encourages the entire campus to wear the ribbon that symbolizes interpersonal violence awareness.

Monday, Feb, 22
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., outside of the Dining Hall

Bake Sale for It’s Your Birthday, Inc.
It’s Your Birthday, Inc. is a St. Louis non-profit organization that creates birthday parties for children who have been in domestic abuse situations. Purchase a baked item to help the parties buy cakes and cupcakes for the children. Throughout the week, the campus is also collecting items for the parties including favors and decorations.

Thrive “Date Safe”
6:00 p.m., North Hall
Thrive is an organization that offers resources for women in the St. Louis area. They will be presenting on healthy relationships and ways to get out of a bad situation. The event is open to both male and female students.

Men of Integrity
6:30 p.m., Pillsbury Huff
Pillsbury Huff Resident Director Steven Crain and Alumni Relations Manager Brian Knapp will lead a session geared for male students to be encouraged to treat women as God intends for them.

Tuesday, Feb. 23
Alive (Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments) Presentation
11 a.m., Upper Level SRC
Alive’s vision is to end domestic abuse, restoring safety and peace one family at a time. This local resource will be educating students on healthy relationships, cycle of abuse and local resources.

RAD class
February, (must be already registered)
Throughout February, Campus Safety will be holding Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes led by certified instructors that instill knowledge on awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training.