By Ali Gue

The [Not Just] Women’s Center invited Shenandoah University students to share their thoughts on dating at “The Do’s and Donuts of Dating” at the Brandt Student Center on Nov. 17. Students were asked to write their “do’s” and “do not’s” in a relationship on a paper sprinkle, and they received a treat from Winchester’s Glazed and Confused donut shop for their participation.

“We really want people to think about their interpersonal relationships,” said Kaylee Warrenfeltz, the head peer mentor of NJWC and a senior at Shenandoah University. “It doesn’t have to be a significant other. It can be with their friends or with their family.”

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, almost 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. That is roughly 10 million victims per year. Abuse can be found in every type of relationship, but many people are only familiar with intimate partner abuse. The NJWC frequently shares similar statistics within the Shenandoah University community to raise awareness.

Shaunghnessy Swails, a junior Shenandoah University student, said the donuts caught his attention, but the subject matter meant so much more to him.

“I feel very inspired [by the event] because it’s a very important topic,” said Swails. “I see a lot of relationships devolve because people don’t know what to do or what’s going to happen when they get into a relationship.”

The [Not Just] Women’s Center, or NJWC, holds multiple events throughout the year, and they often spread the importance of consent. Workers and volunteers within the center are focused on getting younger generations to make better relationship decisions and helping those who are in harmful situations.

To find out more information about the [Not Just] Women’s Center and its resources, visit https://www.su.edu/diversity/not-just-womens-center/. The website contains contact information, a list of events, and things to do within the center.