Every three days a woman in Pennsylvania will be murdered by her lover. A woman is battered in the United States every 12 seconds. Nearly half of the men who abuse their wives also abuse their children.

A crowd of about 50 men and women ranging in appearance from artsy, pierced 20-somethings to older, more conservative types, gathered last night at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St., for an "Evening of Courage" to honor Domestic Violence Awareness month. Survivors of abuse and professionals who work to end domestic violence broke the silence and made their voices heard.

The Centre County Women's Resource Center helped conduct the event. It was the first event of this nature organized by the center, which strives to raise awareness, improve the services available to victims, and generate forums for discussion on domestic violence and sexual assault.

Dora E. McQuaid, poet and teacher of speech communication, and Michele Nagy, domestic violence legal advocate coordinator, opened the event with an exchange of facts about abuse and McQuaid's poetry.

. . .At night, my body speaks

what brought on this shock. . .

McQuaid, who organized the event, came up with the idea last summer during the National Poetry Slam in Chicago. "I wanted to combine professionals with survivors, music, poetry and storytelling. It's a good way to spread the message. . . you can't help but be moved."

Her vision was clearly realized throughout the night's events as audience members, wearing purple ribbons in support of victims of abuse, clenched hands and patted backs while listening to the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories.

One woman, Linda, told her story of domestic abuse. At first, the abuse was strictly psychological. Her husband, who was a state trooper, soon moved on to violent physical abuse, she said. It was impossible for her to get any help from his co-workers due to her husband's position, she added.

The situation quickly went from bad to worse until one day when he held a gun to her head in front of her two children. At this point, Linda said she took matters into her own hands, got two jobs and hired an attorney. Even though she is free from the abuse today, permanent emotional and physical damage to her and her children will last forever, she said.

Remembering those who were afraid of helping her, Linda stresses the importance of helping.

"We must get involved. Just offer a phone number to a woman being abused — she'll use it."

Another woman, Susie, a children's' advocate at the Women's Resource Center and abuse survivor, told the story of her childhood. Her mother was only 16 when she was born, and her father was about the same age.

Her young father had a drinking problem and would beat her mother in Susie's presence, she said. The abuse continued even after her mother got a job and moved away, as he would often show up at their trailer to continue the abuse.

Today, Susie has ended the cycle and taken control of her own life. She, like Linda, feels that everyone is responsible in the battle to end violence against women and children.

"Violence does not occur in a vacuum. If you know something is happening and you don't do anything, you are contributing to the problem."

Other speakers stressed the importance of viewing victims of violence as strong survivors, rather than weak individuals who allow themselves to be abused.

Audience members said they were particularly impressed with the statistics regarding the legal system and domestic violence.

"It was brought to my attention that legislation does not support women at all. This is something that needs to be changed," said Christina Lecker (sophomore-theatre arts).