October is Dating/Domestic Violence Prevention Month

Dear campus community, 

October is Dating/Domestic Violence Prevention Month (DVPM), a time to raise awareness and take action in supporting survivors and promoting healthy relationships. Together, we can create a safe and respectful environment for all members of our community.

Commitments of our campus community

• Everyone deserves healthy, respectful relationships, including friendships and intimate relationships. 

• Affirmative consent is always necessary; we practice open communication and respect in all relationships.

Resources

• PATH to Care Center: A dedicated source for confidential support services and proactive prevention initiatives. Survivors can call (510) 642-1988 or email pathtocare@berkeley.edu for support services.

• Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination: OPHD receives reports of harassment and discrimination, including relationship violence, provides support to those harmed, and can resolve matters either formally or informally. OPHD oversees campus compliance with policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment for students, faculty, and staff. Use the webform, email ask_ophd@berkeley.edu, or call (510) 643-7985.

• SVSH Resources for Survivors 

• Alameda County Family Violence Law Center, 24/7 crisis hotline (800) 947-8301

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24/7 crisis hotline (800) 799-7233 or text “START” to 88788

Events and activities

• Check the DVPM Event Calendar for upcoming events. Hosting an event? Add it to the calendar! Sampling of events:

  • Personalized 1:1 Sound Healing with Joy

  • October 16, 2025 from 4pm - 5:30pm at the Forestry Tables between Strawberry Creek and Dwinelle: Survival Social with ASUC's Sexual Violence Commission (SVC) and Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq). Contact svc@asuc.org for details.

  • October 23, 2025 from 11am - 3pm on Sproul Plaza: Purple Thursday - raise awareness and fundraise with ASUC SVC, Senator Kianna Rodarte, Phi Alpha Delta, Kappa Alpha Pi, and Sigma Alpha Nu. Wear purple to show your support. Contact svc@asuc.org for details. Compliments the nationally observed October 16 Purple Thursday.

• Use and share DVPM Zoom backgrounds and “Everybody Deserves to Be Safe” messages and graphics with your networks

• The “Building Safe & Healthy Families Workbook,” created by the PATH to Care Center, helps parents and caregivers identify how to build healthy relationships, model positive behaviors for children, and support their communities.

For more information, resources, and events, visit the SVSH Hub website.

Thank you,

Fabrizio Mejia
he/him 
Interim Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion

Khira Griscavage
she/her 
Chief Ethics, Risk & Compliance Officer and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor

Sharon Inkelas
she/her
Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor on Compliance and Community and Deputy CERCO

Kellie L Brennan 
she/her
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Civil Rights, Whistleblower & Clery Compliance
Title IX Officer and Executive Director of OPHD

Elisa Diana Huerta
they/them/elle
Associate Vice Chancellor, Community Engagement & Transformative Care

To help create an environment that lives up to our seven Principles of Community, we will send regular messages to acknowledge various heritage/history months and holidays. While we won't include every month or holiday, we will make an effort to ensure members of our community feel represented. Additionally, Berkeley News and the Berkeley Life Blog will often post articles highlighting people, programs, and research that align with these heritage/history months and holidays. Learn more about our updated approach to heritage/history/prevention messaging.

This message was sent to all staff, faculty, and students.

If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.