On Nov. 6, a group of Shippensburg University students gathered together to host a lantern release in honor of the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The students gathered outside of Shippen Hall with free desserts and cider for anyone who came to participate. They handed out balloons and sharpies so participants could write down their experience with domestic abuse or sexual assault. They also handed out a list of resources, both on and off campus, for anyone seeking help with domestic violence.
Jayleen Galarza, associate professor of social work and gerontology, and Melissa Ricketts, professor of criminal justice, both spoke about how to best help victims of domestic violence, highlighting the importance of patience and empathy.
Mackenzie Peters, one of the event organizers, said, “We wanted something to physically release so we wanted to do the lantern release, which is a way of writing your stories and releasing it.”
The event was the perfect way to end Domestic Violence Awareness Month and top off the information panels and events that were held during October. It gave space for anyone, whether a survivor of domestic violence or someone looking to support, a space to release their stories.
At the end of the event, everyone gathered around and released their balloons, watching them rise into the darkening sky.
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