Student Health and Counseling Services is holding a creative video contest to raise awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness month.
For “Love, Camera, Action!” UTM students will submit a minute long video depicting the importance of bystander intervention in situations of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or bullying. Entries are being taken from Oct. 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 and must be submitted via email to John’Na Webster, Student Health and Counseling Services health and wellness educator, at jcosby4@utm.edu.
Each video submission must contain a title slide detailing the filmmaker and category chosen. At the film’s conclusion, contact information and logos for resources such as Public Safety, Health and Counseling Services, the Northwest Safeline and Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program in Jackson, Tennessee must be included. Only the first 60 seconds of any submission will be viewed, longer videos will not be judged on any content after the time limit.
Judging will take place on Nov. 2 from 2 – 4 p.m. in the University Center, and students are encouraged to come and and take part in the viewing process. Judges picking the winner will include selected students, counselors and staff members.
Submissions will be judged based on creativity, completion of requirements and the employment of their bystander approach. The winner will be awarded and have their video featured on the SHCS website.
The idea first stemmed from the Campaign to Change Direction. Campaign to Change is a movement designed to address the negative stigma of mental illness, and aid in self – awareness in regards to mental health. Planning for this project has been in progress since late August.
Webster hopes that the videos will give students different ideas about how to handle situations of conflict they might find themselves a part of.
“The premise is really around [being an] active bystander. We believe that those that are on the outside looking in sometimes can do something direct,” said Webster.
For further information, please contact John’Na Webster at (731)881-7869.
