Alpha Chi Omega is hosting its annual Healthy Relationships Week this week to spread domestic violence awareness.

According to a fact sheet from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.

Lily Friebel, AXO’s assistant philanthropy chair, said Healthy Relationships Week is about promoting healthy communication in relationships. Across the nation, other chapters of AXO will also plan Healthy Relationships Week events.

For this program, Friebel said the women of Alpha Chi Omega will be on the Glenn Terrell Friendship Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

They also have their “Donut Let Love Hurt” event, which will run from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday at AXO’s chapter house. Because sororities dedicate community service events to a specific organization, the proceeds will go toward their local philanthropy, Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse.

According to the ATVP website, they are a 24-hour emergency and support service for sexual violence victims and their children. They also offer services for victims’ family members, friends and community members.

While AXO has a national philanthropy they devote efforts toward, chapter President Emma Johnson said, “having [this week’s proceeds] go toward something directly in the community is nice to have that heart-to-heart connection within Pullman.”

Over the years, their “Donut Let Love Hurt” event has raised the most money of the fundraisers for ATVP; last year they raised over $500, Friebel said. But as a chapter, she said, “We like to put a big emphasis [that] it’s not about raising money … it’s about raising awareness.”

Friebel said they also work closely with the cosmetic brand Mary Kay, which promotes domestic violence awareness.

“They’re a great supporter of our chapter,” Friebel said, “because they supply us with little things to spread awareness for this week.”

AXO also hosts a competitive “GI-Alpha Chi” event and raises money for ATVP, Friebel said.

This happens every year in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“It’s really good to get the community involved in what’s going on,” Johnson said, “because [our sisters] know about domestic violence awareness, but educating and just even getting [the community] to think about it is good.”

During this event, AXO likes to include representatives from ATVP. Last semester, Friebel invited a representative to educate participants on the importance of domestic violence awareness. They have also had in-house programming with WSU Health & Wellness Services.

“Even though we started talking about this 20 years ago,” Johnson said, “as a nation we still have these issues and think that education and raising awareness is really important.”