Chalkin’ it up for domestic violence awareness at local high schools
(Talk of the Town photos by Meredith Hoffman) Above, Lyndsey Brommer and Mackinzie Schillace work on creating chalk messages for fellow classmates about domestic violence during the recent "Chalk It Up to Awareness" project at Columbia City High School. Below, Breanna and Holly Hicks design chalk messages outside the main entrance to the high school.
By Meredith Hoffman
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and students at the Columbia City High School had a great afternoon in the sun, creating awareness about domestic violence using colored chalk to create school sidewalk billboards. 
“Chalk It Up to Awareness” is an initiative of YWCA and the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force partnering again with Columbia City and Whitko High Schools.
Over 20 SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) club members at the Columbia City High School used statistics, quotes and art to create awareness to the problem of domestic violence and also to honor the lives of domestic violence survivors that have had the courage and strength to survive or help others survive the effects of domestic violence.
Roseann Fahl serves as the club advisor and high school Spanish teacher. She noted “We are committed to changing the culture of the community and of our school. Our goal is to eradicate violence of all kinds – bullying, cyber-bullying, domestic violence and dating violence."
Last year, through domestic violence awareness efforts, information was distributed throughout the high school. Students, staff, faculty and Whitley County residents were able to better understand how to identify when they are victims and batterers or know victim and batterers and the resources available to them.
“One goal of the task force is for others to hear that there are resources in the county, and one can choose to become a survivor,” said Sherry Sausaman of the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marked the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the Whitley County Domestic Violence task force, contact Sherry Sausaman at 609-7086 or via email at Sherry.Sausaman@parkview.com