LAFAYETTE -- The YWCA Greater Lafayette’s Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program invites the public to attend four events in October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

* Oct. 1 – The Clothesline Project: The YWCA Greater Lafayette’s Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program presents The Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts decorated by domestic violence and/or sexual assault survivors as well as by family, friends and others affected by intimate violence. The display opens at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1 at Ivy Hall, Ivy Tech Community College, 3101 S. Creasy Lane, Lafayette. The Clothesline Project will remain on display throughout October. The opening event includes the official proclamation declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The scheduled speakers are Ivy Tech Chancellor David A. Bathe, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, and Tippecanoe County Council President Kevin Underwood. Several social service providers will set up booths at Ivy Tech for the October 1 event. The Clothesline Project is free and open to the public.

* October 13 – An Invitation to Friends and Family: How to Support Victims and Survivors of Domestic Abuse: The YWCA Greater Lafayette’s Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program and the SOBA support group present “An Invitation to Friends and Family: How to Support Victims and Survivors of Domestic Abuse” from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, at Riverside Covenant Church, 1850 Woodland Avenue, West Lafayette. This program is for anyone who has wondered, “How can I help my loved one who is in an abusive relationship?” Presenters Norah Ashcraft, YWCA legal advocate, and Katie Taylor, creator and facilitator of the SOBA (Sick of Being Alone) women’s support group, will define abuse and teach you what steps you can take to help domestic abuse victims and survivors of all ages. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Norah Ashcraft at 765-423-4486. Two CEUs (continuing education units) are available for this program.

* October 15 – Sin by Silence: Join in a candlelight vigil and march, and watch the emotionally packed documentary “Sin by Silence” on Thursday, October 15, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This special evening starts at 6:00 p.m. at the YWCA, 605 N. 6th Street, Lafayette. Accompanied by the Purduettes choral group, participants will march to Duncan Hall, 619 Ferry Street, Lafayette, for a poetry reading by Jolivette Anderson-Douoning, the film, and discussion. “Sin by Silence” tells the stories of women incarcerated for killing their abusive husbands. The evening includes special guest Brenda Clubine, who is featured in the film and is the founder of Convicted Women Against Abuse. This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and registration is required. To register, call 765-742-0075 or visit www.sinbysilence.com/lafayette. The YWCA thanks Helen Magazine for its partnership on this event. Other sponsors include Court Appointed Special Advocate, Duncan Hall, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Ivy Tech Community College, J.E. Fields & Co., Lafayette Crisis Center, Latino Coalition, The Muse, PMO and the Purduettes, Purdue University Women’s Resource Office, and St. Elizabeth Center of Hope. Two CEUs (continuing education units) are available for this program.

* October 19 – Domestic Violence Luncheon: Happy Hollow Elementary School Counselor Betsy Arnold will speak at the YWCA Domestic Violence Luncheon on Monday, October 19. Her topic is “Children and Adults Healing from Abuse.” The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the YWCA, 605 N. 6th Street, Lafayette. Lunch will be catered by Buttery Shelf Eatery. Arnold, a survivor of abuse, will discuss her own experiences and how we can help children and adults who have been affected by sexual abuse and violence. She will emphasize the importance of using different methods of coping strategies based on each individual’s needs. The cost is $12. Registration is required. The registration deadline is October 15. Call 765-742-0075. One CEU (continuing education unit) is available for this program.

The YWCA Greater Lafayette, through its Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, provides a 24-hour emergency shelter and hotline (765-423-1118 or toll free 1-888-345-1118), support groups, a parenting program, protective orders, 9-1-1 cell phones and other services for people affected by domestic violence. The program serves Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Tippecanoe, Warren and White Counties. For more information about the YWCA's domestic violence program, visit www.ywca.org/lafayette/dv. Information about the four special events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month also can be reached from www.ywca.org/lafayette/dv.

STATISTICS
In 2008 the YWCA Greater Lafayette’s Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program:
-- Sheltered 287 women affected by domestic violence and 250 children
-- Handled 4,576 crisis calls
-- Assisted 1,137 walk-ins
-- Filed 351 protective orders
-- Provided parenting classes serving an average of 18 parents per month
-- Made 91 presentations for youth, reaching 2,053 young people with information about healthy relationships and raising awareness about dating violence
-- Made 95 presentations for adults, reaching 1,781 participants
-- Made 44 educational presentations for the community, reaching 3,835 attendees
-- Saw 376 Hispanic clients for victim advocacy and crisis intervention
-- Took 529 crisis calls from Hispanic women
-- Served 86 Hispanic women in a support group and 49 for legal advocacy