Written by Julia Sullivan
After months of preparation, on April 14th, 2011, the group of ASU students in Dr. Alesha Durfee's "Women and Social Change" class embarked on a mission to spread awareness and knowledge of the realities of domestic/relationship violence and abuse. Having Linda King as our supervisor and using the ASU campus as our stage, as well as the most generous help from two phenomenal actors (Chase Reynolds and Elizabeth Sheffer) the group set out to simulate real-life situations of abuse so as to address the question to our fellow student body: "What will YOU do to help fix the hurt?"
Throughout the 
day, the group set up acting "skits" n various locations of campus. The scene began innocently enough, with a girl on her phone, calling a fellow classmate regarding a group project. Outraged with jealousy and anger, her boyfriend stormed over and grabbed the phone, screaming that the phone and she were his property and that she was a liar. This, of course, leads to physical escalation, as he grabs her and proceeds to drag her a couple of feet before the skit is abruptly ended.
After the skit commenced, the individuals surrounding the area were interviewed. Reactions were varied. Many were simply confused and intrigued by the situation. Some were concerned. Some were outraged, as one man in 
particular demonstrated as he attemped to put our male actor in a headlock (whowas not harmed in any way during the skit, by the way!!). It was clear that there was a "difussion" of responsibility seen amongst the crowd. Most assumed that someone else would step in at some point or that they would, if it had escalated further. Yet, what could be certain from that day (no matter the reaction of the individual who witnessed the fight) was the newfound awareness instilled upon the ASU community. While it may not be public, domestic abuse is real, tangible and affecting friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, coworkers and classmates each and every day. Becoming a positive influence on someone has nothing to do with the relationship you have towards them, with the most simple action can a stranger or passerby make a difference and save a life.
particular demonstrated as he attemped to put our male actor in a headlock (whowas not harmed in any way during the skit, by the way!!). It was clear that there was a "difussion" of responsibility seen amongst the crowd. Most assumed that someone else would step in at some point or that they would, if it had escalated further. Yet, what could be certain from that day (no matter the reaction of the individual who witnessed the fight) was the newfound awareness instilled upon the ASU community. While it may not be public, domestic abuse is real, tangible and affecting friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, coworkers and classmates each and every day. Becoming a positive influence on someone has nothing to do with the relationship you have towards them, with the most simple action can a stranger or passerby make a difference and save a life.
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