The Daily Toreador - Student Newspaper of Texas Tech

"It's always 'he's a great guy' and do anything to impress you," the social work major from Pleasanton said. "But then it gradually starts to happen and they make you feel like there's something wrong with you. That's why I stayed in the relationship."

Brister was a victim of verbal abuse and two months ago ended the relationship.

"There's like billions and billions of people and you don't have to stay in one (relationship) that isn't healthy," she said. "I'm a better person now. I'm happy."

Brister is now a member of Impact Tech and is helping teach other students about violence in relationships through the play "You the Man."

"You the Man" was shown at the Allen Theater Monday to start the national Week Without Violence. About 250 students attended the production, hosted by the Center for Campus Life and Student Health.

The play was taken from the man's point of view to show a different, broader perspective, Brister said.

She helped with the play to help educate others about violence and what they can do to help themselves in an unhealthy relationship.

"A lot of people don't realize how much domestic violence affects college students," she said.

The play was planned to aid students in getting information about abusive relationships.

Paul Taplett saw "You the Man" and said he enjoyed it.

"I thought it was really good," the freshman English major from Lake Jackson said. "He (the character) questioned a lot of good issues when it comes to dating violence."

Taplett said he wanted to learn how to recognize the signs of violence and be able to help those in violent relationships get out.

The actor, Eddie Martinez, starred in the one-man play. He took on six roles. All of the characters were affected by someone committing violence toward a girl - Jana.

Martinez portrayed a friend of hers, her father, her teacher, a police officer as well as others. He, as one of his characters, stated the theme of what all the characters learned about violence.

"You have to listen, give her support and not judge her," Martinez said.

Olga Barcenas, a community education advocate for the Women's Protective Services was at the play and said she wanted to educate others about the possibility and danger of being in a violent relationship.

Women's Protective Services offer services such as protective housing and counseling for abused and battered women.

"We don't discriminate with our services," Barcenas said. "But we are a volunteer agency so people have to call us."

She said she wanted students to be educated about violence because education is the only way to stop violence all together.

According to Texas Council for Family Violence, 117 women in Texas died last year because of domestic violence. While people16 to 24 years old have the highest rate of violence, some of the women killed were as old as 81.

"It can happen to anyone at any age," she said. "Violence does not discriminate in any way."

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