So the students are going to have the opportunity to wear a purple shirt with their jeans for a dollar Friday, Oct. 14. All the proceeds are going to Hope’s Door, which is a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.

I am very excited for this event. I had a family member who went through abuse of this kind, so this is very near and dear to my heart. I hope that a lot of money comes out of this. Hope’s Door opened 1986, and provides counseling as well as shelter for victims of domestic abuse. In a study conducted by The National Domestic Violence Hotline, it was proven that one in four women will experience either domestic abuse, or teen dating violence (yes, they are classified differently) and one in seven men will experience the same.

People assume that women wouldn’t be the abuser, or that when a woman hits her significant other she is empowered or they deserved it, but that is false. Women can and are abusers in the same way that men are. While it might not happen as often, it still happens.

Teen dating violence is a serious problem. Because the victim and abuser are young, they aren’t taken as seriously as domestic abusers, but it is still very serious. Dating violence is defined as physical, psychological, sexual or emotional violence, including stalking, in within a relationship. In 2011 a survey discovered that 23 percent of females and 17 percent of men who experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by a partner, first experienced it between the ages of 11 and 17. In 2012, 11,766 American women were killed by their current or ex male partners. In a study performed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, it was concluded that 40-45 percent of women in abusive relationships are raped and/or beaten during the relationship. Ten million children are exposed to domestic violence each year.

These statistics show just how prominent domestic abuse is, and that gender doesn’t matter. If someone is physically beating, sexually assaulting, threatening or belittling the ones they love, that is abuse. Shelters like Hope’s Door are doing everything they can to stop this by providing a refuge to victims. Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness, which is why shelters like Hope’s Door opened.

With the contributions from the students wearing purple, the color for domestic abuse awareness, in October, domestic abuse awareness month, Hope’s Door might be able to better provide for these victims. Their number is (972) 422-2911 and they are stationed in Plano. In case there is ever a need, the crisis hotline is (972) 442-7233. The event is Oct. 14. Please remember to participate, every dollar helps.