Domestic violence takes its toll on everyone in and around the situation. Being able to defeat the problem is hard, but moving on afterward can be the hardest struggle. Learning how to trust someone, how to cope and how to help other people who are going through what you did can allow you to find the good from the bad.

Southeastern senior, Colton Russell, uses his dance minor and past experiences with domestic abuse to raise awareness with college students. After having a previous unhealthy relationship, Russell choreographed a dance in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month, and presented it in a Dance Showcase class earlier this month.

His dance consists of two female dancers who fight against abuse in their relationship with one another. “I want to show people that domestic abuse is real and that it happens in every community including the LGBT’s,” said Russell.

If his dance is powerful enough and meets the preset requirements, it will advance to the showcase in spring where it will be performed before the student body.

If you have ideas or are inspired to spread awareness in creative, effective ways, reach out and get those projects started. They could make a big impact in someone’s life.