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FSUB tackles issue of abuse

When you think of abuse what first comes to mind? GSU students got a chance to receive clarity on what abuse actually is Monday at the Favrot Student Union Board Hospitality Committee “I stand, you stand, we stand” seminar.  

Guest speaker Tundra Turner from the Health and Wellness Department spoke in front of a moderate crowd of students.   

De’QUANNA ALEXANDER/The Gramblinite Students play a game displaying thumbs up or thumbs down to different scenarios.

De’QUANNA ALEXANDER/The Gramblinite
Students play a game displaying thumbs up or thumbs down to different scenarios.

“I like being able to speak to them and share experiences and real life events that take place on campus,” said Turner. “I just truly believe in each one, reach one. After these seminars at least 2-3 students come to my office. Just getting the awareness out feels good.”  

Abuse is the physical or mental force used to control or maintain power over someone else. There are numerous types of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and financial.

Turner explained many students walk around the campus as if nothing is bothering them. That really inside they are hurting because they are victims of abuse or have been in the past. 

“I think this event went really well,” said Fetori Williams, a criminal justice major from Alexandria, “especially the new girls who needed to hear the part about refunds and their boyfriends using it.”  

She also allowed another guest speaker who came from the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) explain to the students further. Terrie Autrey let the listening students know that abuse has no gender and that many men come to her for help as well.

Turner stated the most beautiful girls come to visit her office and say they aren’t beautiful because they allowed a man to belittle them.

Student Ryan Johnson stated, “I learned a lot from the seminar I learned that abuse is not just a male or female thing, it can be both-sided. ”

Students learned that when a person is being abused, people around them aren’t really able to help, because the abuser has led them to believe that the person trying to help them is actually trying to break them apart. 

Jimmitriv Robertson, a biology major from Arcadia who is the committee’s chair, believed the seminar was a success. “It let students into the side we don’t usually get to see. I would love to see more students take advantage of these informational seminars.”

For those who want to get help, contact the Student Counseling and Wellness Resource Center in the Foster-Johnson Building west wing.