A SAAVI insight into domestic violence

Education about domestic violence was the main topic of the Abuse Prevention Day discussion between students and SAAVI volunteers that took place in the Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge, Wednesday. 

The best way to prevent abuse is to educate people,” said Stephanie Bagnell an adviser at the Center for Women and Gender.

The discussion was facilitated by questions posed to the students by Bagnell and Bret Nielsen as they encouraged those attending to think about the components of abusive relationships so that they could learn to recognize the signs for themselves.

“We want to empower survivors and victims to use their own self determination to get out of abusive situations and we want to educate everyone else to avoid abusive relationships in the first place,” said Nielsen a SAAVI intern. 

SAAVI, CAPSA and the Center for Women and Gender work to educate Cache Valley residents and USU students about abuse and ways to prevent it and the Abuse Prevention Day event was intended to reach people who were not already searching for help. 

“Women often come into SAAVI to get educated about abuse and then realize that they are already in an abusive relationship,” said Jenny Erazo the SAAVI program coordinator.

To attract attendees into the Sunburst Lounge, the event organizers broadcast a repetitive gong sound from loudspeakers every 12 seconds to symbolically represent the nationwide frequency of attacks against women. 

“That eerie sound really caught my attention. I had to stop by to see what it was all about,” said freshman Lauren Walker.

Also inside the lounge was a display by the Clothesline Project and numerous sponsor booths dispensing domestic violence information and pamphlets. The Clothesline Project is a national movement that gives voice to those affected by domestic abuse by allowing them to write anonymous experiences on shirts that are then hung on clotheslines. USU’s Clothesline Project is in its 25th year and its display featured shirts made by Cache Valley residents who had experienced first or secondhand domestic abuse. 

“We are really glad that Bret and Stephanie opened up the conversation about domestic abuse, because it’s extremely important,” Erazo said. “Having the conversation here in front of the Clothesline Project display and our sponsor’s booths helps us spread awareness of the variety of resources available at USU for victims and survivors of domestic violence.”  

Comedians Drew Lynch and Sam Comroe laugh away their disabilities

As the finale to Disability Rights Week at Utah State University, disabled comedians Drew Lynch and Sam Comroe gave their comedic perspectives on living with a disability.

“Stand up is hard for anybody, it’s not just because of my voice that it’s difficult,” said Lynch after being asked if it took bravery for him to stand up in front of crowds and do comedy.

Lynch, this year’s runner-up on America’s Got Talent, was hit in the throat with a softball four years ago, damaging his vocal chords and leaving him with a stutter. His partner, Comroe, was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome while in the third grade.

“It was hard to book Drew due to his recent America’s Got Talent fame, but we were very happy that he agreed to perform,” said Shane Johnson, the development officer for the USU Center for Persons with Disabilities. “We had plenty of options for people to finish out the week but we chose these comedians because they relate to both college students and people with disabilities, making it a fun experience for all involved.”

Both comedians use self-deprecation and their unique experiences as people with disabilities to entertain and educate their audiences about disabilities. 

“Seeing people with disabilities in the spotlight makes me feel like I too can do anything,” said freshman Melissa Roeder, who has struggled with a stutter for most of her life. “I’m so thankful that people like Drew and Sam are out using comedy to spread awareness for people with disabilities.”

The show began with routines from both of the comedians, followed by an audience Q&A session where the two comedians came together and encouraged everyone with questions to speak up. Both comedians said they are frequently asked questions about their experiences with fame and disability, so they like to open up the conversation in front of the entire audience to help spread awareness about their disabilities. 

“This show is the culmination of a week celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Johnson said. “These two comedians continue to help us spread awareness about disabilities, while providing a really great time for the audience.”

USU inaugurated Disability Rights Week this year in order to celebrate the ADA’s 25th anniversary.

The week began with lawn signs around campus pointing out handicapped accessible features at USU, followed by an information fair in the Taggart Student Center. The week finished with the comedy show and birthday cake for all in attendance, to celebrate the ADA’s anniversary. 

Logan Planned Parenthood remains healthy despite funding cuts

The Logan Planned Parenthood office will remain fully functional, leaving residents who rely on its services breathing a sigh of relief.

Despite Gov. Gary Herbert’s efforts to block disbursement of federal funding to all nine Utah Planned Parenthood offices, the Logan office will remain fully operational in its education programs.

Individual Planned Parenthood locations have the flexibility to set their own office hours based on appointment volume and the population being served. Logan Planned Parenthood will be able to continue providing all of its educational and health services since it already saves money by offering shortened office hours, four days a week.

Because Cache County has the second lowest sexually transmitted disease rate in Utah, behind only Morgan County, Logan Planned Parenthood can operate with abbreviated office hours while still fully providing all necessary services to its target population.

“I’m really relieved honestly,” said Utah State University sophomore Kaity Maines. “It’s an important resource for college students and it’s comforting to know that all services remain fully functional so I don’t have to drive to Ogden.”

Two statewide Planned Parenthood sexual education programs based in Salt Lake County were recently eliminated due to budget constraints, leaving a gap in the organization’s mission to educate Utah residents.

“It’s disappointing but our efforts to educate will continue on a smaller scale, relying on our individual clinics to do all they can,” said Annabelle Sheinberg, the education director for Utah Planned Parenthood. 

“Part of our mission is to educate people throughout the country about sex and sexually transmitted diseases but with a particular focus on college campuses. College students are the largest population affected by STDs, so they are often the ones we need to educate on how to be safe and on what to do if they need help.”

For that reason, most of the Planned Parenthood offices in Utah were located near college campuses to make it convenient for college students to receive educational information and health services.

Logan’s Planned Parenthood office is located at 550 N. Main St., Suite 17.

Additional information about Planned Parenthood, including available programs and services and office hours is available at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/utah/logan/84321/logan-health-center-2420-91730.