The sisters of Chi Upsilon Sigma, a Latin sorority, hosted Love Should Never Hurt, an information and discussion event about domestic abuse in minority couples last night.
Chi Upsilon Sigma President Carolina Barragan said the event was part of their political awareness program to promote revisions to domestic violence laws and educate about common misconceptions associated with domestic abuse.
"I hope when everyone leaves tonight they have a better knowledge of the issue and just prepare them so they know how to help themselves and others," Barragan said.
A domestic violence study recently conducted and released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found there were significantly higher numbers of domestic violence cases reported among minorities.
Mayra Leon, secretary and historian for Chi Upsilon Sigma, said there are many reasons why there are more cases of domestic violence in minority couples, a major factor being culture.
"For a lot of minorities, we have this thing about our men being men. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about," Leon said.
Louise Hall, Class of 2007, said if a person grows up seeing domestic violence in the home, the person would be more likely going to carry those perceptions into their own intimate relationships.
"The whole issue of domestic violence bothers me. Growing up in my area and in the African American culture you see it al the time," Hall said.
Throughout the program, Barragan and Leon presented their research and guided the group discussion. As an example of physical and emotional abuse, they showed a graphic video of a man screaming at his wife, which had a powerful effect on the crowd.
Leon said it is important to know that in domestic violence cases, women are not always victims, and it can be more difficult for men to admit they are being abused.
"Of course I think it's wrong [for a woman to abuse a man] but women do it anyway, because they know a real man would never hit back," said Jonathan Ramirez (senior-labor studies and employment relations).
Barragan spoke of the loopholes in domestic violence laws that she said sometimes work against the victim. She said in the most serious cases, a restraining order could actually ignite rage.
"How much does a piece of paper do when he's coming at you," Barragan said.
