Coastal Carolina University, in partnership with LiveWell and the Women’s and Gender Studies program, is hosting its annual Relationship Violence Awareness Week Oct. 3-6. Two outdoor events will be held to raise student awareness about sexual, dating, and domestic violence and to educate students about resources available to them at CCU.

The week’s goals include helping to break the stigma of discussing the sensitive topic of interpersonal violence, as well as showing support and building community empathy toward survivors of interpersonal violence.

The events include:

• Take Back the Night march, rally, and speak out event on Tuesday, Oct. 3, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Lib Jackson Student Union courtyard. The purpose of this event is to increase awareness of the impact of violence against survivors, celebrate their strength, and provide another avenue for them to courageously break the silence of their experiences. The event also allows students to share personal stories and messages against interpersonal violence and creates a space of support for survivors. The event will feature a brief welcome and opening remarks, a proclamation reading by student government association representatives declaring support and acknowledging survivors, and a survivor story told by Sabrina Danquah. Attendees will then march through the campus, with the route culminating in the student union courtyard.

• Light Up the Night 5K Run on Friday, Oct. 6. The run will start at 7:30 p.m. on CCU’s University Boulevard near the Chanticleer Drive West traffic signal, with participants running through the Horry-Georgetown Technical College campus. CCU has partnered with its Department of Public Safety, HGTC, and various local sponsors. Event proceeds will benefit the CHANT-I-CARE Assistance Fund, a compensation fund designed to assist student survivors of violence. Proceeds from the last event brought in more than $4,000.

The LiveWell promotes societal, community, relationship, and individual wellness and provides resources to the campus community all year long.

For more information, contact Bevelyn Mitchell, assistant director for interpersonal violence prevention and services, at bmitchell@coastal.edu.