October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. To bring attention to this issue, the Women’s Leadership Project again is bringing the Red Flag Campaign to Fort Hays State University.

The public awareness campaign is designed to address domestic and dating violence and promote its prevention on college campuses. The campaign was created using a “bystander intervention” strategy, encouraging friends and other campus community members to “say something” when they see warning signs (“red flags”) for dating violence in a friend’s relationship.

Research from 2011 indicates abuse occurs in 21 percent of college dating relationships, 58 percent of college students say they don’t know how to help someone who is a victim of dating abuse, and 38 percent of college students say they would not know where to get help.

Throughout the month of October, red flags will be visible on the grounds of the university to remind everyone to address “red flags” they may see with friends, family or personally. Additionally, WLP will host several events to bring awareness to this important cause.

The Women’s Leadership Project will kick off the campaign by speaking to all freshmen classes on Oct. 1 and 2. Everyone is invited to attend our free self-defense workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at Cunningham Hall, Room 110.

The WLP will partner with Options and other community organizations to host the fourth annual Domestic Violence Summit at Hays Medical Center on Tuesday, Oct. 14th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Red Day will take place on Oct. 24. On this day, the campus and community are encouraged to wear red in an open commitment to “say something” when they see a relationship red flag. In addition to these events, watch for The Red Flag Campaign at multiple men’s and women’s athletic events.

For more information regarding the Red Flag Campaign, or what you can do if you see relationship red flags, contact the Women’s Leadership Project at [email protected] or (785) 628-4312.