‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’
The Deltas spread awareness about the dangers of an abusive partner at the Love Shouldn’t Hurt event on Oct. 27 in Moore Hall.
The event opened many eyes to the harsh realities of being in an abusive relationship with someone.
Forty-three percent of college campus relationships experience some form of domestic violence, according to information given at the event.
Speaker Renee Sturdivant shared her experiences with her ex-boyfriend and how she managed to escape her situation safely.
About seven years ago, Sturdivant faced one of the hardest decisions she ever had to make.
Her boyfriend beat her violently after a heated dispute, but she did not testify against him in court.
He avoided 15 years in prison because Sturdivant wanted to keep her children’s father in their lives.
She stressed that “it’s good to have someone to love you, but you never want to be loved to death.”
Between January and August 2017, there have been 16 domestic violence related deaths in North Carolina.
Two of those victims were from Robeson County.
Delta alumni ended the event with a moment of silence for Natasha Otis, a UNCP student and Delta who lost her life because of domestic violence.
Getting help and talking to someone can be the hardest part after experiencing domestic violence, but it is essential to the well-being of victims.
If the love you share with someone is constantly hurting you, maybe it is not love after all.
If you or someone you know experiences domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800)799-7233.
Or, for more information, visit www.thehotline.org to learn more about domestic violence and how you can get help for yourself or someone you love.
