Brianna Lopez

This helped put into perspective some of the ideas we've discussed over the course of the College Brides Walk and how I can connect it to my paper.

Thinking about boundaries and power structures in this reflective way was challenging in a good way. I am glad I participated!

It was wonderful to see everyone come together for this event. I enjoyed seeing Briana Earhart perform again, along with other singers (whose names I cannot remember) who performed at the event on 2/7 as well!

This is for the legal issues panel. I viewed the recording on 2/26/22.

Bridget's discussion about the meaning behind her work and the value she gets out of it was inspiring. Although seeing the victims is troubling, being a part of helping them means a lot even though the victims are responsible for their own survival. Although her line of work must. be hard, I can see the power that comes from being a part of this work and seeing your role in bettering someone's life.

Stefanie's discussion of the differences in what survivors need was enlightening. I never thought about the fact that some victims might not just want to be completely cut off from their abuser, but would rather their abuser get help or some sort of rehabilitation, especially in cases where there are children involved.

The answer to the question about how to handle gun violence in these situations was interesting. Mindy's assertion that if there is a court order that says this person should not have guns or weapons, those things should be taken sounds simple but is clearly difficult for government figures to understand. I think the gun violence issue unravels a multitude of other conversations about the second amendment that many government officials are open to discussing.

This is for the Survivor Panel. I viewed the recording on 2/26/22.

I think Sonya's discussion of how to help and the fact that if people want to help, they must be able to give time and focus and listening ears to victims, because often people believe that money is the only way to solve problems. While money helps, sometimes just being a shoulder for people will do so much.

Peter's story is so important, since he is a male victim and I think often, their stories are overlooked. It was heartbreaking when he discussed the fact that he can't tell his children they are going to come home, because that is almost like giving them empty promises. I also think it is interesting how he talked about his wife taking his children through the court system, because I think so often the mother is thought to be the best fit for the children when it comes to court, but it is cases like this that should make people rethink that stereotype and really deeply evaluate every situation. Dr. Finley also helped explain this further by explaining that victims are often isolated by their abusers so that they become dependent on their abusers and cannot leave them.

This was for the performing arts night with the College Brides Walk. It was really interesting to see so many different takes on domestic violence in pop culture references, especially shows that I have heard of or watch, like Maid and Euphoria.

This was a very detailed presentation that taught me a lot about domestic violence that I didn't know, especially some of the "technicalities" under the law that were interesting to learn about.

This is for the hour I did in the food pantry on 11/16!