Published 2011-11-01T19:15:00Z”/>
Brenna Dillman
In an attempt to reduce campus and community violence, Students Against Violence Everywhere held an event Oct. 25 to bring students together.
From Jan. 1 until June 30 of this year, there have been 130 violent crimes reported to the Chico Police Department, according to the police department’s mid-year activity statistics.
The event focused on the bystander effect and how students could overcome it. It also showed students how to help when they saw violence or any other situation in which someone was in danger.
The major message was for students to call emergency responders when they see something happening.
During the event emotions were high as videos were shown of former Chico State students who had died due to people not taking action.
After students shared some of their experiences with violence, District Attorney Mike Ramsey spoke about the dangers of not taking action and how everyone can help stop violence in the community.
“This is a community that should get involved,” Ramsey said. “That is the only way to stop violence.”
During Ramsey’s Q-and-A portion of his presentation, Elyse Gutowski, executive vice president of Associated Students and an intern at the Community Legal Information Center, asked numerous questions about Ramsey’s take on domestic violence. Ramsey responded that it is taken very seriously.
After talking with him, Ramsey seemed very supportive of Gutowski’s cause, she said.
Gutowski is also concerned about all violence throughout Chico.
Everyone is of equal risk for different acts of violence, but to avoid violence, students should be aware in any environment and be aware of the resources they have, she said. To stop violence students must know what is out there.
“Having S.A.V.E is a great way to start, by bringing the issue of violence to students’ attention,” Gutowski said.
During the event, it was apparent that almost every person in the room had been affected by violence in one way or another.
Michelle Rojas, a junior psychology major, who did not attend the event, said her life has been greatly affected by violence.
“It was the deciding factor that split up my family,” Rojas said. “My life was forever changed because of violence.”
<hr />
<strong>Brenna Dillman can be reached at</strong>
<em>[email protected]</em>
