It's time to celebrate V-Day, everyone.

Did you think I meant Valentine's Day? Well, that too. But I was talking about the global movement to stop violence against women and girls, which is also honored today. Have you heard about it? Here, let me tell you more...

V-Day was started in 1998 by Vagina Monologues creator Eve Ensler as a way to raise awareness about violence against women and to help support anti-violence organizations.

Ensler was inspired to establish V-Day after women around the world who had seen the Vagina Monologues told her their stories of rape, incest, domestic battery and genital mutilation. From Buffalo to Bangkok, one thing was clear to Ensler -- women everywhere were the victims of physical attacks, sexual assault and domestic violence.

I know that violence against women is a serious matter to be thinking about on Valentine's Day, but how can we celebrate a day of love without thinking about the many women whose hearts are being broken by violence?

Sure, I considered writing a light-hearted column about love and ro-mance for today. But then a terrible act of violence occurred just days ago near Altoona, and that made me realize the importance and urgency of V-Day.

Last Friday, a man shot and killed his estranged girlfriend through the window of her car outside a day care center in Logan Township. Their two small children witnessed the murder from the backseat of the car. The man then ran a block away and shot himself in the head.

Even though the woman had a protection-from-abuse order against her boyfriend, the law could not protect her from him.

Why did this man feel such anger toward his girlfriend that he took her life in front of their children, and then took his own? This is not an easy question to answer, but the same story seems to be told again and again. Women around the world are in trouble, and V-Day reminds us that the violence needs to end.

Just take a look at these startling statistics. According to www.feminist.com, a woman is battered every 15 seconds somewhere in America, usually by her intimate partner. Globally, at least one in three women and girls has been beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime.

Violence against women is so pervasive that the World Health Organization considers it "a major public health and human rights problem throughout the world."

So what can you do to stop the violence?

Some students already helped kick off V-Day by participating in or attending the Vagina Monologues, which was performed in Schwab Auditorium from Feb. 1 to 3. Although the show was free, donations were taken to benefit the Centre County Women's Resource Center.

But there's still so much more to do on this V-Day.

To start, it's important to be aware that violence against women does happen and it is never acceptable, even if the violence is committed by a boyfriend, husband or family member.

We should also understand that violence is often hidden, and it is not always physical but sometimes emotional or sexual.

If you are a victim of violence, or know someone who is, realize that there are resources out there to help women.

If you need to talk to someone, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE). Locally, Penn State's Center for Women Students in 204 Bouke Building and the Centre County Women's Resource Center provide information and other forms of assistance to women who have experienced violence.

If you are someone who has a tendency to take your anger out on women, today is the day to stop. Realize that your anger is misdirected and that you need to get help.

See a counselor, attend anger management class and learn to talk about your problems instead of using physical aggression.

If you have a friend who acts violently toward women, tell him that his violence is unacceptable and encourage him to get the help he needs.

V-Day's mission statement says that Valentine's Day will always be V-Day until the violence stops. When all women live in safety, V-Day will then be known as Victory over Violence Day.

We can help make it happen, and what a beautiful day that will be.