The darkened library quad was illuminated by lit bags placed by Alpha Chi Omega sorority on Thursday evening to remember victims of domestic violence, dubbed the Luminary Project. The event is to help raise awareness that “love shouldn’t hurt” and start off Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Representatives from Alpha Chi Omega gathered to commemorate the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month by lighting more than 100 colored bags around the library quad’s fountain at twilight.

The event provided students with resources from campus organizations to effectively handle and seek help when faced with domestic violence issues by providing tables from various organizations such as Women Escaping a Violent Environment, Sac State’s Women’s Health Center and Police Department.

Slowly, as night crept onto campus, the multicolored bags were lit and placed around the fountain, shining light onto the once-darkened area of the library quad.

Sorority member Joli DeVore, sophomore and therapeutic recreation major, coordinated the event, which took about a month to prepare.

DeVore said she wants to incorporate the Hand Project into the awareness programs.

“It is when you have a huge banner that students decorate and place handprints as a representation of their pledge to not use their words and hands to hurt, and we would hang the banner around campus,” said DeVore.

Sorority members will be wearing purple ribbons throughout the month to symbolize the strength and survival of victims of domestic violence, she said.

The sorority’s Greeks Advocating for Mature Management of Alcohol for that week, Mackensie Buchanan, junior in family studies, spoke at the event and explained what her role is in the sorority system.

“We coordinate new member training for Greeks, teaching alcohol-awareness, the gay community and the Greek system,” said Buchanan.

Other situations that students certified by G.A.M.M.A. can help in are DUI, sexual assault and alcohol-related problems and direct victims to the proper authorities and organizations.

Alpha Chi Omega Chapter President Christy Petersen, senior in recreation parks and tourism administration, said the lights surrounding the fountain are to remember victims of abuse and that there is hope after the damage has been done.

“Tonight is an evening to honor the victims of domestic violence and to remind them that no one is left in the dark,” said Petersen.

Hanane Omari, a representative from WEAVE, a source of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, spoke at the event and handed out pamphlets to students.

Omari said she wanted everybody to take in all the resources offered, because knowledge is a weapon that can be used when family or friends are abused.

Omari said family or friends might be scared or ashamed that domestic violence has occurred.

Knowing the proper way to handle issues can stop the situation from escalating, Omari said.

“Domestic violence doesn’t have a notion of time or space, you may not think that you may get it but maybe somebody close to you may be affected,” said Omari.

Joseph de Ocampo can be reached at [email protected].