Magnifying Healthy Love with Michaela and the Virginia Tech Women's Center

The platform Magnifying Healthy Love with Michaela (Domestic Violence Awareness) is dedicated to creating a campus where healthy love thrives. My goal is to educate the Virginia Tech community on the signs of healthy relationships, provide resources for those in unhealthy ones, and build a campus culture where reaching out for help is never difficult. I am committed to being a passionate advocate for positive change.

I chose this platform due to the startling prevalence of dating violence among college students. Data shows that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience physical violence from a partner in their lifetime, with college-aged students at the highest risk. Alarmingly, 57% of students find it difficult to identify dating abuse, and 70% of those who experienced it were unaware at the time. This lack of awareness highlights a critical need for education and advocacy on our campus.

I am proud to be working with the Women's Center at Virginia Tech to fortify my platform. The Women’s Center is a vital resource that creates an affirming and supportive environment through advocacy and education to advance gender equity. A key part of their work is the CARES (Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education) program, which provides essential support for survivors of violence.

The Women's Center's mission directly connects to my platform by providing the educational and supportive infrastructure needed to combat dating violence on campus. Their programs offer a safe and understanding environment for students who may be suffering in silence. By partnering with them, I can ensure that any support I gain goes directly toward empowering students and creating a campus where healthy relationships thrive and no one suffers alone.

Gifts of any amount will go toward supporting The Women's Center at Virginia Tech's work in education around domestic violence. Your contribution will make a significant difference in the experience of students, helping to ensure that no one suffers in silence.

Thank you in advance for your gift!