Domestic violence event focuses on male victims [GALLERY]

Deirdra Harris Glover
MC Contributor/Staff Writer

“‘The first 18-wheeler we see, we’re going to hit it,’” said Yolanda Turner-Evans, echoing the words of her violent ex-boyfriend. As he steered the car back onto the road, her teenage daughter, wrapped in only a bed sheet, stood on the road’s shoulder where he’d dumped her. Turner-Evans, a domestic violence survivor-turned-advocate, was the speaker for “Paint the Town Purple, a domestic violence awareness and remembrance program held on Oct. 29.

The event, sponsored by Jackson State University’s Latasha Norman Center (LNC) for Counseling, included a balloon release to celebrate the life of namesake Latasha Norman, a JSU student who died as a result of domestic violence. LNC Director Frances White, said Norman’s death ignited the campus to do something meaningful to combat domestic violence.

“In the wake of Latasha Norman’s loss of life, (domestic violence prevention and intervention) is the foundation upon which we stand…that her loss would spur the center’s work going forward, and each person we help is a tribute to her memory,” said White.

JSU students and staff in attendance believe the event put real life faces to the stories often read about regarding this issue.

“The stories shared remind us of how cruel and menacing domestic violence can be, because it happens at home. It happens on campus. It happens in those places where you feel you really should feel safe, at the hands of the people you think really love you,” said Nicole Evans, Vice President for JSU Enrollment Management.

While it is true that women are more often affected by violence at the hands of loved ones, domestic violence does not discriminate. It is a reality for men as well and a growing number of men are speaking out against domestic violence.

This year’s panel discussion “Men Hurt Too” was facilitated by twins Alden and Calden Hopkins, motivational speakers and founders of Good Twin Bad Twin Unleashed, a Jackson based ministry.  The two spoke of their complex relationship to abuse and the culture of casual violence and toxic masculinity.

Calden Hopkins explains, “When you’re growing up, men are told they can be happy or they can be angry. We perpetuate that attitude through our community. If we don’t change the environment and the culture, then there is no clear direction to move forward.”

Alden Hopkins adds, “Culture thinks that female-on-male violence is something to laugh at.” The Hopkins twins affirm that “Hurt people hurt people,” and that men who are raised in violent households are twice as likely to become abusers themselves.

Eric Hobson, a sophomore biology major from Belleville, Ill., was moved by the program. “Normally when hot bed subjects such as domestic abuse are presented, people shy away. This forum allowed the head of the beast to be shown to each of us, in addition to presenting avenues to aid in the death of the atrocious epidemic which is domestic abuse,” said Hobson.

Hobson believes peer mentoring might be a good solution for improving campus awareness and outcomes.

“Students require community service hours and young students need both a helping hand academically and the aid of positive role models to mold them for success. Jackson State University students have those qualities and our community has the need: bridging the gap is the only obstacle,” Hobson stated.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. were also represented at the event.

The Latasha Norman Center provides counseling services, crisis intervention, and other services to all active JSU students. The center also maintains a 24-hour on call therapist schedule through the JSU Public Safety office for ‘round-the-clock support and care. Call 601-979-0374 for more information.

All photos by William H. Kelly III.