Take Back the Night essay winners announced
April 30, 2009
Kokomo, Ind. – An Indiana University Kokomo nursing student received a $500 scholarship for her essay focusing on domestic violence. “Identifying Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy” took home the top prize out of 48 entries as part of the Fourth Annual Take Back the Night/Angel Walk event this past week.
In her essay, Kimberly Buckley, a sophomore, emphasized the importance of recognizing the signs of abuse and of nurses assessing pregnant patients properly.
“It is not only important to know the signs of abuse, but also to be aware that they are not always obvious. Nurses need to be equipped with diligence, consistency and education to detect signs or successfully screen for intimate partner violence, especially during pregnancy,” Buckley writes.
In addition, a $100 gift card was awarded to Clinton Central High School student Cole Schimmel for his essay on dating violence.
“Dating violence plays a huge role in many young teens’ relationships today. This kind of violence is hard to see if you’re not really looking for it,” Schimmel writes. “It has a huge impact on the individual, along with the community.”
Take Back the Night/Angel Walk is an annual event sponsored by the American Democracy Project at IU Kokomo and the Family Service Association of Howard County. It is an international rally and march that is organized in local communities with the purpose of spreading an awareness of all forms of violence and oppression against women, children, and families.
Indiana University Kokomo serves a seven county, primary service area in north central Indiana. The campus offers more than 40 academic programs including four graduate degrees.
