Some members of MSU Women’s Council will be working to rid MSU of domestic violence today and Friday.

Today the group will be painting the rock on Farm Lane and members will march to Sparty on Friday.

“I feel that we will raise awareness and raise money for an issue that is highly overlooked in this country,” group member Patti Wheeler said. Wheeler, an English freshman, said she wants victims of domestic violence to know they have friends who are willing to help.

The group will begin painting the rock at about 11:30 p.m.

Organizational communication senior Erika Nuerenberg said group members expect between 30 and 50 people to show up.

Rape, domestic abuse and female empowerment are all things group members hope to bring to the forefront.

“We are basically going to try to get people to think about issues concerning women,” Nuerenberg said.

The rock painting session is open for all students to come and join. Afterward the session members of the group will march across campus.

“We are going to walk to Sparty and put a banner around him that says ‘This is a rape-free zone,’” Nuerenberg said.

Group members said by painting the rock they can also draw attention to charities for victims of domestic abuse.

Melanie Olmsted, co-director of Women’s Council, said she wants students to know the money will go toward giving women a meal and a place to stay.

The group has been working with university administrators, MSU Safe Place and the Council Against Domestic Assault.

“It has been a collective effort with everyone involved,” Olmsted said. “I don’t think we could be doing it for a better cause.”