Event takes on domestic ills

In the warm breeze and strained light of a weekend dinner hour, as a child dangled joyously from the fork of a tree and four young men at a picnic table sipped wine, a bluegrass band picked a tune.

Such was the atmosphere at Carrboro's Weaver Street Market on Saturday, the setting for a fund-raiser aimed at increasing awareness of rape and domestic abuse.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Saturday's effort was part of a monthlong calendar of events geared toward the cause.

Margaret Barrett, director of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, said that while she hoped to raise some funds Saturday, the real focus of the event was increased awareness.

"It's important to have events like this one. ... Rape and domestic violence are taboo topics," said Shauna Hay, secretary of the board of directors for the rape crisis center.

"The issues tend to be hidden for some people," Barrett said.

To combat that, the rape crisis center and the prevention center manned a table from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. as a bluegrass band played tunes and a hula-hoop artist performed with a flaming hoop.

The table, which was located in the outdoor eating area in front of the market, was draped with a purple cloth and featured fliers, purple ribbons, stickers, nail files and a collection basket for contributions.

Purple was prevalent at the event because it is the color of domestic violence awareness.

Melissa Radcliff, community service coordinator of the Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County, said people shouldn't limit their awareness of domestic abuse to October.

"Domestic violence awareness takes place yearround," she said. "Folks want to think it doesn't exist."

Radcliff said the purpose of the event was threefold: The event raised community awareness of the violence problem, let victims know they can get help and reminded them they are not alone.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro community typically is positive toward steps taken to prevent rape and domestic violence, but Hay said both groups hoped to further raise awareness in the area.

"At something like this, you may not have a crowd of people stopping by to pick up stuff," Radcliff said. "It's low-key."

She said the hope was that simply by having a table in a busy place, such as in front of the market, the groups would be seen by many people.

Even if people don't stop to pick up literature, give money or sign up for mailings, they will become more aware of the centers, she added.

Both groups said they were happy they were able to hold the event at the market.

"I think it's great. It's a very laid-back atmosphere," Hay said.

Both the band, the Tim Stambaugh Band, and the hula hoop artist, Julia Hartsell, volunteered their performances.

"I'm part of the community. I want to do good things for the community when I can," said Stambaugh, the band's leader.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.