In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, students gathered to hear stories about abuse and learned the best ways to combat it head-on.

Omega Phi Beta sorority, along with Sigma Psi Zeta sorority and Real Education About College Health (REACH), held a forum in the Old University Union on Tuesday to discuss different forms and aspects of domestic abuse. The forum began with presenters telling the stories of abuse victims and leading discussions on the topic of domestic abuse. Organizers also quizzed students on what they knew about certain resources on-campus and if they could figure out whether domestic abuse facts were true or false.

The stories of domestic abuse ranged in perspective, from a man whose partner would repeatedly abuse him but then apologize with gifts, to a child whose mother was being abused, but would not leave the father because she claimed that she still loved him.

Maritza Minchala, the president of Omega Phi Beta sorority and a sophomore majoring in psychology, created a display with suitcases that represented different kinds of abuse. Some presented words related to domestic abuse, some showed gifts that an abuser might give a victim as a way of forgiveness and some held various weapons used to perpetuate abuse or self-harm.

“This suitcase exhibition in general was just to highlight different aspects of the things victims go through and [to] give them a say, because not many people know what they actually go through,” Minchala said. “We wanted something visual so that people can get a better understanding of it and have an actual stand in the situation.”

Bridget McCane-Saunders, the associate director for health education at REACH, spoke to students about the repercussions of domestic violence and sexual assault and discussed resources that BU offers to assist in those situations. She listed the University Police Department and RISE, a women’s shelter, and gave out a flowchart explaining specific actions that each resource provides and performs.

“I think that today’s presentation is important because it shows that individuals … affected by domestic violence are not alone and that we can share what the resources are on campus, as well as in the community,” McCane-Saunders said. “It’s important for students to have that information and share it with others.”

McCane-Saunders also explained what the other dangers of college life are and how they can be prevented. She explained that unlike previous years where REACH had slogans that asked students to take personal responsibility, such as “don’t drink the punch,” REACH has now geared its campaign on calling upon bystanders to take action.

“We want students that see things happen to know how to stand up and intervene, whether it’s distracting someone, asking them to stop or supporting someone who may need help,” McCane-Saunders said. “Bystander intervention is our approach in dealing with a lot of issues not just related to interpersonal violence but also alcohol and mental health issues.”

Max Flood, a junior majoring in systems science and industrial engineering, said he believes that education about these issues is important because victims are often unaware of how to find help.

“I have known someone who dealt with this and it was kind of under-the-radar,” Flood said. “So if we can spread the knowledge, then maybe they can get help because these people are usually stuck in ruts that they can’t seem to get out of.”