Fraternities 4 Family helps raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault

Press Release

From Fraternities 4 Family:

Throughout April, fraternities were involved in a statewide initiative to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault called Fraternities 4 Family.

The Fraternities 4 Family campaign involves young men on college campuses across North Carolina who courageously break the silence about domestic violence. Family law attorney Charles Ullman of Charles R. Ullman & Associates sponsors the campaign.

The men’s efforts included fund raising, student centered events to discuss domestic violence and raise awareness, bystander intervention training, and talking to high school students about healthy relationships.

They also participated in activities related to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, commemorated each April. On social media, they used #fraternities4family to give their message broader reach.

Ullman states, “In my daily work, I have seen the harms wrought by domestic violence and wanted to find a way to reduce the number of victims. I believe that men are essential to ending this type of violence. That’s why I decided to work with fraternities.”

The campaign ran throughout the month. “I’ve been amazed by the efforts and commitment of these young men. They have made a real difference in people’s lives, both to prevent future harm and to help current victims through their fundraising,” Ullman says.

NC State’s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the entire Greek community made this cause their focus for Greek Week. They gathered $25,000 in donated goods for victims served by the Durham Crisis Response Center.

Ullman and fraternity men from Phi Gamma Delta also took part in the Center’s annual charity golf tournament, donating an additional $1000.

“Domestic and sexual violence do not discriminate due to race, religion or economics. Anyone or someone they love could become a victim at anytime. The monumental efforts and contributions from NC State Greek life will help us support victims. We are so grateful,” says Tammy Donald, spokesperson for Durham Crisis Response Center.

Duke University’s Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities garnered donations from students on campus, and hosted a fundraiser at Devine’s Grill & Sports in Durham, NC.

The event drew a large crowd of Duke students and people from the Durham area.

“Community service and charitable events are a large part of our business. So when I read an article about Phi Delta participating in Fraternities4Family and saw some brothers here at Devine’s, we started talking about how we could help,” says Gene Devine, a Duke and Phi Delta Theta alumnae.

Along with the student donations, Duke raised nearly $700. The funds will benefit Families Living Violence Free, a domestic violence agency that provides support to victims in the Oxford, NC area.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity member, Thomas Bagley, was proud to take part. “We want to make a difference in ending domestic violence and sexual assault. So, to provide help for victims, we think this fundraiser seemed like a great opportunity,” says Bagley.

At Winston-Salem State University, members of Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities supported interpersonal violence prevention and took part in the Clothesline Project and a Candelight Vigil.

Each April, on campuses across the country these events accompany a Take Back the Night march as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Survivors visually depict their stories in the t-shirt designs they create. The shirts are prominently displayed for other students to see.

Orlando Mitchell, Director of Greek Life and Special Programs, attended the vigil and speak out at which survivors shared their experiences. “Hearing about the violence toward these women made me want to do even more. As men, we have a responsibility to educate our peers. We have the power to make real change happen,” says Mitchell.

Other fraternities participating in the campaign come from Elon University and Elizabeth City State University.

At Elon University, fraternity men participated in a Take Back the Night March, an annual event at campuses nationwide.

“We were almost the only men there. That fact further clarified to me that our work has just begun. To truly end domestic and sexual violence, men need to be part of the solution.”

“We are emboldened to continue our work for Fraternities4Family throughout the year, not just in April,” says Kyle Stewart, Interfraternity Council President at Elon University and Service Chair of Pi Kappa Phi.

Stewart also led his members in an educational campaign on behalf of CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response and Resource Center in Burlington, N.C. They are training to prepare themselves to speak to local middle school students about healthy relationships and domestic abuse.

At the end of April, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault published a Report. It draws further attention to the need for initiatives like Fraternities 4 Family.

Vice President Joe Biden, who heads The White House Task Force on Sexual Assault, spoke about the release of their report to guide colleges on the issue. He said, “We are never going to solve this epidemic until we get men involved.”

“The mantra of the campaign is, ‘One man can make a difference,’” Ullman says. “I believe all of those involved feel that they have done just that.”

Click here to learn more about or support the project.