Mu Tau Mu of Alpha Chi Omega

Did you know:

About one in five high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.⁵

1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked, or otherwise physically hurt by his or her partner.⁹

[If you think you or a friend might be in danger, please call the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline at 1-866-331-9474 or go to http://loveisrespect.com/ to chat online with a peer advocate.]

Teen Date Abuse is a very serious issue. One place to learn more: Alpha Chi Omega collegian, Patrice Basso (Delta Chi, William Woods) contributed a great blog post on it this week on College Lifestyles.

This video gives good insight into the problem of teen dating violence and the solutions:

Many people and groups are working to end and prevent teen dating violence, including Martina McBride and Lauren Conrad. 

Parents are encouraged to visit MADE - Mothers and Dads for Education to Stop Dating Violence, My Time to Shine and Choose Respect for great information on talking to kids, tweens and teens about dating and healthy relationships.

Fifth idea to prepare: We hope Alpha Chi Omegas everywhere will want to help out the National Domestic Violence Hotline by shopping at Marshalls! 

From NDVH's website: 

"Buying a pair of shoes at any Marshalls store between October 1 and 15, 2009 will benefit the Hotline. As part of the Marshalls Shop ’til It Stops program, $1 will be donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for each pair of shoes sold during this period (up to $150,000).

"For the past 18 years, Marshalls has raised millions of dollars and generated tremendous awareness in an effort to help put an end to domestic violence in the United States through their annual Shop til it Stops program. This year for the first time, the National Domestic Violence Hotline will benefit from this program. Be sure to visit Marshalls to support us!"

Even better, there will be a media blitz about Shop Til It Stops! On Thursday, October 1st, Project Runway's Tim Gunn will be emcee at the Shop 'Til It Stops Kick Off at Marshalls in Santa Monica, CA from noon til 2pm. He'll appear later that day (actually just after midnight on Fri 10/2) on the Craig Ferguson Show (CBS 12:35am ET/PT) to talk about Shop Til It Stops too. 

Thank you, Marshalls, for your commitment to prevent domestic violence, raise awareness about it, and support the National Domestic Violence Hotline! 

Only 2 Tuesdays left until Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Each week in September, we're sharing a way to prepare for October.

This week we feature Alpha Chi Couture, a great event (fashion show and silent auction) that will be held this Friday, September 25th in Dallas, Texas. We have 2 reasons for wanting you to know about Alpha Chi Couture: first, it's an amazing event we should all support; and second, it sets a great example any chapter or group can follow in planning their own local event, be it a fashion show, golf tournament, auction, frisbee fling, or art show. AX Couture has embraced social media with a website, a facebook fan page and a Twitter account. Organizers have reached out to many influential people in their local community and their larger online community. They partner with the DFW domestic violence shelter, and they hope to raise $45,000 this year. 

So show Alpha Chi Couture some love! And remember, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!

"The SMU Alpha Chi Omega chapter and area alumnae chapter will host its annual Alpha Chi Couture fashion show and silent auction, Friday, Sept. 25, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The event benefits the Genesis Women’s Shelter and the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and hopes to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence.

"The event will kick off with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by a fashion show featuring the latest styles from West Village boutiques Assembly, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Epic and Glass Slipper. Jan Strimple, acclaimed international couture model, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

"'It's a pleasure to partner with this group of dynamic young women,' said Strimple. 'Their dedication and commitment facilitates achievement of their financial and community goals of funding programs that provide assistance to battered women and children.  Knowing their efforts will provide comfort in others lives is a profound realization and I am rewarded by assisting these young adults on this path of discovery.'

"Over the last three years, Alpha Chi Couture’s funds have helped the Genesis Women’s Shelter provide a safe place for over 2,000 women and children who have fled the immediate threat of domestic violence. These contributions help the shelter meet all of the victims’ needs, including clothing, food, shelter and counseling.

"'The women of Alpha Chi Omega have made such a tremendous impact in the fight to end domestic violence,' said Jan Langbein, executive director, Genesis Women’s Shelter.  'Alpha Chi Couture not only raises significant funding, but also gives a voice to thousands of women and children who have been silent for too long. Genesis is honored to be a part of this incredible event where young women come together to help restore hope, renew spirits and rebuild lives.'

"Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.alphachicouture.com, as well as information about making a donation or underwriting any portion of the event. For further questions please contact mailto:info@alphachicouture.comor call 214.929.0666."

On Tuesday, October 20th, the Domestic Violence Center of Cleveland hosts their 16th Annual Break the Silence Luncheon from 11am - 1pm at Windows on the River. 

Mu Tau Mu is proud and very excited to be able to sponsor three Alpha Chi Omega collegians to attend the event! Get your tickets here!

Janine Latus, author of If I Am Missing or Dead, is the special guest speaker. From DVC's website:

"About Janine Latus: In April 2002, Janine Latus’s youngest sister, Amy, wrote a note and taped it to the inside of her desk drawer. “Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved” it read, “but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on his criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead this obviously has not protected me...” That same spring Janine Latus was struggling to leave her own abusive marriage.

"She was on a business trip, when she received a call asking if she’d heard from Amy. She was missing. After an extensive search, it took more than two weeks to find Amy’s body. It took nearly two years before her killer, her former boyfriend Ron Ball, was sentenced for her murder. 

"Haunted, Latus turned her journalistic eye inward.  Her New York Times bestseller, If I Am Missing or Dead, is a heart-wrenching journey of discovery as she traces the roots of her own -- and her sister’s -- victimization with unflinching candor. At once a confession, a call to break the cycle of abuse, and a deeply felt love letter to her baby sister, Amy, If I Am Missing or Dead is an unforgettable read, and Latus is an unforgettable speaker."

See all the events DVC has planned for Domestic Violence Awareness Month here, and follow DVC on Twitter @DVCCleveland.

Purple Light Nights!It's four weeks now until October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness (DVA) Month!

Each week in September, we're offering Alpha Chi Omega sisters and friends a fun and meaningful way to prepare for DVA Month; this week, we're very excited to the share Purple Light Nights project with you!

From their website: 

Purple Light Nights™ is the inspiration of the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force, King County , Washington .

The goal is to have all residents shine a purple light on every front porch; hang a string of purple lights in every business window; and decorate each downtown street tree with purple lights, to send the message that“Domestic Violence Has NO Place In Our Community”.  

The outcome of Purple Light Nights™ is to increase the awareness of domestic violence issues and it’s affect upon children and families. 

Join neighborhoods and cities around America each year during October’sDomestic Violence Awareness Month and participate in Purple Light Nights™.  Click on “Get Involved” for usable templates and instructions on how to start a campaign in your community.