The community, students, faculty, staff, and Latasha Norman’s family and friends all gathered on Nov. 12 to commemorate Norman’s life and to bring awareness to domestic violence prevention during the 9th Annual Latasha Norman 5K Run/Walk.
The event, hosted by The Latasha Norman Center for Counseling Services (LNCCS) in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, began at 8 a.m. on Dalton Street right outside of the Jackson State University Student Center. Participants donned lavender and neon yellow as they ran and walked along Robert Smith Parkway for 3.1 miles.
The walk is held to commemorate the life of former JSU student, Latasha Norman, who lost her life to domestic violence in 2007 and to bring awareness to domestic violence prevention.
“The Latasha Norman Center for Counseling Services was erected in 2007 as a tribute to the student who died as a result of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a societal illness. The Center’s platform focuses primarily on mental illness and behavior modifications. Most undiagnosed issues increase chances of physical, emotional, and sexual violence in interpersonal relationships,” said Laquita Sims, Campus Resource Advocate for the center.
Sims added: “Statistics reflect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are involved in some type of physical abuse daily. This event allows the surrounding communities as well as campus-wide engagement to come together to address, educate, bring awareness too, and prevent violence primarily against women; domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault and misconduct.”
Although the race is for a worthy cause, it is still competitive. Stephanie Smith-Hardin, a social worker and Jackson State University alum, participated as walker with The Blue & White Flash team and won 1st Place in her age group.
“Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. People always say that high blood pressure and heart disease are silent killers, but domestic violence is also a silent killer because women and men are afraid to tell anyone what’s going on,” said Smith, who received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from JSU.
Smith-Hardin added, “I was a victim of domestic violence and I support the Latasha Norman Center in their efforts to bring awareness to this issue. It’s my second time participating and I will walk every time this event is held because I think its important for college students and others to support this worthy cause.”
According to Sims, domestic violence is prevalent on the JSU Campus as it is considered a societal illness.
“It is imperative as a JSU community we recognize, plan and implement programs to prevent, educate, bring awareness to; challenge distortions and combat behaviors that contribute to domestic violence in relationships,” said Sims.
Aniecia Brewster, a senior mass communication major from Belleville, Ill., and member of The Flash team that took 1st place, believes more students should participate in the run/walk.
“I feel like it’s great for JSU students or just students in general to participate in the LNC Run/Walk because it’s an eye opener for a good cause. Domestic violence is a serious matter now and doing a walk can help people prevent it from happening because you’ll have groups there after you complete the event telling you how to prevent or help people in this situation,” said Brewster. “I love doing it every year and it’s always a good turn out.”
After the last participant crossed the finish line on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway, participants had a chance to visit informational booths and receive information on domestic violence prevention.
“LNCCS encourages students’ safety first. Develop healthy support systems inclusive of peers as well as family members when experiencing abuse in relationships. Report abuse or observation of abuse to public safety/campus police,” said Sims.
Sims stated that students can use the following resources for reporting:
Students can report to:
• The Latasha Norman Center for Counseling Services
• Sexual Misconduct Assault Response Team (SMART)
• Title IX Office
• The Applied Psychological Services Center
• The Student Health serves as excellent on campus resources for interventions.
Photos by Aniecia Brewster and LaQuita Sims
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