Syracuse University will commence its annual male-run Vera House White Ribbon Campaign on Monday with the goal of raising more than $125,000 for sexual and domestic violence education and awareness programs.

The campaign will begin with a pre-launch event in the Carrier Dome Monday during the men’s basketball game against the Virginia Cavaliers. The game starts at 7 p.m. and will allow students, staff, faculty and members of SU the community to learn more about the 21st annual White Ribbon Campaign.

Monday’s event is the first of many for the annual White Ribbon Campaign, set to run from March 20–29. During that week, wristbands, paper ribbons and chocolates will be distributed in the Student Schine Center.

The awareness wristbands serve as a personal statement that participants will never support, commit or remain silent about abuse, said Chris Benton, director of communications and special events at Vera House.

“The campaign creates a forum for us to discuss these issues and how we, as a community, can get involved in helping end violence,” Benton said.

She added that at the game, information tables will be hosted by Vera House and SU representatives to provide tickets for gift baskets that support the campaign, offer details about Vera House programs and services and teach about prevention and education efforts on campus.

The campaign has two main objectives: host a fundraiser for Vera House education and awareness programs and services, and create a public awareness campaign to stop domestic and sexual violence, Benton said.

This year’s slogan, “Stand With Us,” encourages community members to participate in the campaign to end domestic and sexual violence. Among those participants are the members of A Men’s Issue, a student organization that promotes a safe community on campus. The male organization explores masculinity and what it means to be a male in a society in which sexual and other forms of violence are prevalent.

“With the white ribbon campaign being centered around ending this violence, AMI fits in perfectly to help spread awareness about this troubling conflict,” said Matthew Fox, a member of AMI.

This year is the first year paper ribbons will be sold. They will be imprinted on heavy cardstock paper with the pledge, “I pledge to never support, commit or remain silent about abuse.” The campaign will also include a new social media effort on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“This is a chance to send out a message and goal on a greater scale. It’s something essential to become involved with,” said Anthony McGriff, AMI co-president. “It’s better to be proactive than reactive.”

Last year’s movement got more than 25,000 people involved in the greater Syracuse community and this year’s campaign hopes to congregate 40,000, Benton said. Supporters for this winter include local television, radio and print media as well as Vera House representatives and Lamar Outdoor Advertising, she added.

“I have had the honor of working at Vera House for 17 years and have seen the White Ribbon Campaign grow in leaps and bounds,” Benton said. “Over the years the campaign has picked up momentum and there is more community involvement.”

With all these efforts, Vera House has high hopes for what lies ahead in the coming weeks during the campaign.

“We hope that the community can talk more openly about domestic and sexual violence,” Benton said. “We also hope to work toward a world in which violence is no longer accepted.”

Published on March 2, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact Elissa: emcandio@syr.edu