Jenny Barbosa, director of outreach and education for the WomenShelter of Long Beach, (right) speaks with Long Beach State students about the free services the organization offers to people going through intimate partner violence during a Purple Thursday event on Thursday, Oct. 16. WomenShelter of Long Beach assists victims of abuse by giving them housing, counseling and other support services. Eddy Cermeno | Long Beach Current
Long Beach State Student Health Services gave out information regarding domestic violence warning signs and resources on their front lawn from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16th.
The event was for Purple Thursday, a national day of awareness about domestic violence, held on the third Thursday of October.
Purple Thursday encourages students, staff and faculty to wear purple to raise awareness of those affected by domestic violence.
Hosted by Student Health Services at CSULB, the event featured two organization tables, including CSULB’s Safer program and the WomenShelter of Long Beach.
CSULB Safer is a confidential campus resource that provides confidential advocacy and support services to students, faculty and staff impacted by sexual harassment/assault, relationship violence or stalking.
According to Jaqueline Urtez, Lead Campus Confidential Advocate for Safer, Purple Thursday is intended to bring visibility to the issue of domestic violence and the color is chosen because it is vibrant in a way that nobody can ignore.
“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” Urtez said. “It’s an opportunity to raise awareness around domestic violence, and show support for survivors by wearing purple.”
Urtez said visibility is important for raising awareness about domestic violence.
“Oftentimes, there can be shame for individuals experiencing an abusive relationship,” Urtez said. “Our hope is to provide visibility across our campus, and to remind our campus community that we do have resources and support available.”
Jenny Barbosa, the director of Outreach and Education for the WomenShelter of Long Beach, was also an organizer for the event and said she hopes it will educate students about what WSLB is and what resources they provide, in case the students or someone they know may have experienced intimate partner violence.
WSLB is an organization that aims to eliminate domestic violence through compassionate intervention, education, and personal empowerment.
“My hope for today partnering with Safer is for folks to learn more about WomenShelter Long Beach and the free services that we provide,” Barbosa said. “For folks to know that everyone is deserving of healthy and safe relationships, and for folks to learn about what signs to look out for when someone’s in an unhealthy relationship.”
Both organizers gave out information pamphlets about domestic violence awareness, free items like pens and drawstring bags featuring the organization’s contact information, and free purple colored snacks.
Asia Goodrich Woods, a graduate social work major who attended the event, found it to be very informative.
“I came here because I wanted to learn a little bit more about the resources they have in Long Beach,” Goodrich Wood said. “I thought the event was very informative; everyone here was super friendly and willing to share information.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources for both students and the community are available at:
WomenShelter of Long Beach (for students and community members): 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (562) 437-7233 | Resource Center: (562) 437-7233 | wslb.edu
Safer (specifically for students): (562) 985-2668 | csulb.edu/safer | Located in the Student Health Services Center