Stories

Shining Light on Domestic Darkness

By Michael D. Steingas

As night fell on Union College, the dots of 2,000 lights glowed within the sea of white paper bags that lined the sidewalks. Curious drivers slowed as they passed the college. Neighbors from the College View community wandered onto campus to see what was happening.

They were told that each light represented a life lost due to domestic violence.

October was Domestic Violence Awareness month. Theresa Sherburn and Andrea Clarence, president and vice president of the Social Work Club, were determined to remember the lives lost.

“We wanted a strong visual way to show how many people die yearly from domestic violence,” Sherburn said. The casualties range between 2,000 and 4,000, and the American Medical Association states that one in every three women will experience violence from a husband or boyfriend.

After much planning and teaming up with Union’s Peace and Social Justice Club, the work began.

On the morning of Oct. 1, tables were set up outside the Ortner Center, and faculty from the Division of Human Development and a few students began assembling the luminaries. Plant Service staff even shared time to help fill the bags with sand, place them along the sidewalks and light the candles.

Students from George Stone Elementary School also joined in the activity. Joe Allison, George Stone principal and chair of the Division of Human Development, used the opportunity as a learning experience. The next day he brought the elementary school students a copy of the article covering the event in the Lincoln Journal Star and said, “Look, this is what you did.”

“If it hadn’t been for every single person who helped, there would have been no way we could have finished on time,” said Lorri Merchant, associate professor of social work and program director.

While the candles were still burning Wednesday night, Osa Berg, assistant academic dean, shared her personal experience as a victim of domestic violence with the girls in Rees Hall. “It was amazing since her talk had been scheduled weeks in advance,” Clarence said. “It was unplanned but perfect timing. Her firsthand perspective made this issue all the more real.”

The luminaries event also promoted the annual fundraiser that took place the following Sunday for Friendship Home, a local organization that provides assistance to women and children in, or recovering from, abusive situations. Volunteers for the Safe Quarters drive canvassed the city, asking for change and donations, raising $73,000 this year.

This was Union College’s fifth year hosting the drive. The college donates facilities and hours of labor for the event. And each year, several student teams participate. “It’s a wonderful way to have 1,500 people from the community on campus,” said Sharon Russell, director of conference and guest services, who serves on the event’s planning committee.

Surrounded by luminaries and the amber sunset on Wednesday, students and community gathered at the Tribute Terrace. Four bags were placed in the center, representing the lives likely lost that day. After an introduction, Deb, Union College alumna who works with Friendship Home, spoke about how to identify an abusive person or situation.*

“Being involved helped me to see the subtlety of domestic abuse and how it affects women and children on a daily basis,” Clarence said. “I wanted to be part of the solution. Although each light represented the tragedy of a life lost, that light can also illuminate the issue in hope of one day eliminating it.”

* Deb prefers to use her first name only due to the sensitive nature of her work.