A Theme of “We Deserve” calls attention to the rights of all people in relationships
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance and Cal Poly Safer are calling attention to Dating and Domestic Violence Action Month this October. The theme, “We Deserve,” highlights that everyone deserves respect, equity, honesty, bodily autonomy, independence, boundaries, healing, joy, and so much more in all relationships. Several events are planned for the month, including campus events at Cal Poly, a Celebrate Community Fun Run & Festival to raise money for Lumina Alliance and a film screening of Dirty Dancing at The Palm Theatre, followed by a panel discussion with guest experts in the fields of Intimate Partner Violence and healthcare.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of violence by a partner. Nearly half (45.9%) of women experiencing physical abuse in a relationship also disclose forced sex by their intimate partner. The odds of experiencing interference with birth control was 2.4 times higher among women with a history of physical violence by their partners compared to non-abused women. These statistics illustrate the prevalence of reproductive and sexual coercion within intimate partner relationships, which is why Lumina Alliance emphasizes the importance of reproductive freedom for all women as a matter of equity, safety, and health.
“We know that survivors represent a disproportionate number of those seeking abortions and are more likely to experience unplanned pregnancies, infections, and infertility, as well as abuse at the onset of pregnancy,” said Lumina Alliance CEO Jennifer Adams. “We at Lumina Alliance empower survivors to make decisions for themselves, and we respect them as experts in their own lives.”
Throughout October, there are many opportunities for community members across the county to learn more about domestic violence, actions they can take to prevent it, and how to foster healthy relationships in their lives. Lumina Alliance and Cal Poly Safer have created a calendar of events for October.
ABOUT LUMINA ALLIANCE — Lumina Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created by the merging of RISE and Stand Strong in July 2021. Their mission is to empower those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence through innovative advocacy, healing, and prevention programs. Services include 24/7 crisis and information line, case management, restraining order assistance, legal assistance, accompaniment and advocacy, emergency shelters, transitional housing, individual and group therapy, and robust prevention education. For more information, please visitwww.LuminaAlliance.org.
ABOUT CAL POLY SAFER — Within Cal Poly’s Campus Health and Wellbeing, Safer serves as Cal Poly’s confidential advocacy, education and support resource regarding sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual exploitation and harassment. The program is a resource for all students, faculty and staff, and aims to create an affirming space for all that are affected by gender-based violence, inclusive of all social identities, abilities, and documentation status. For more information, visit safer.calpoly.edu
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