“What Are You Doing To Help Prevent Domestic Abuse?” This is the title of a communication that went out recently to every employee at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) and the question also appears in the graphic that accompanies this article.

Embedded within this thought-provok-ing title comes an even more thought-pro-voking cause. Although it might go largely unreported, the reality is that domestic vi-olence is a serious issue that sweeps across our local community, our whole country and just about every nation in our world. It is truly a global epidemic.

The Associated Student Government (ASG) of MHCC recognizes the urgency of spreading awareness about domestic violence and is committed to helping combat this, oftentimes, “silent crime” that lives within the privacy of the home. ASG has partnered with the MHCC Pub-lic Safety department to create an event that is guaranteed to inform, educate and reach out to everyone in the communi-ty. First up, on Oct. 16 speaker Karina Rutova from the Gateway Domestic Vio-lence Center will present information on:

•Whatisahealthyrelationshipandwhat are the warning signs of abu-sive behaviors?

•Whatarethedefinitionsofstalking,domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault?

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Domestic Violence Awareness Noon- 1 p.m., Wed., Oct. 16

MHCC Gresham Campus, Town & Gown, Room AC2000

For more information contact: MHCC Office of College Advancement 503-491-7204

•Whatisthedefinitionofconsent in reference to sexual activity?

•Whataretheconnectionsbetween alcohol, date rape and date rape drugs?

•Whatshouldyoudoifafriend or a loved one is in an abusive relationship?

•Whatisasafeandpositivebystand-er intervention?

•Howdoyougetarestrainingorderor a stalking order?

•Whatshouldyoudoifyouare a victim?

•Whatshouldyouexpectwhenmaking a police report?

A heightened awareness of this subject, along with a clear understanding of the resources available, is of great benefit toour community. If we all work together, wecanhelpstampoutthefiresofabusethat hurt homes and shatter lives.

– By Jonathan Albi, ASG Director of Public Safety and Campus Sustainability

MHCC Students and Public Safety Invite Community to Forum on Domestic Abuse