Relationship Violence And University Life

By Katherine E. Casarez is a sociologist and advocate in the McCoy Family Shelter at HCWC

The following article is the final article of a four-week series focusing on raising awareness about domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and we hope to educate our community on this very serious issue. Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse since 1978. HCWC served 1,872 victims of abuse (face-to-face) from Hays and Caldwell County between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016–1,048 of those were victims of domestic violence.  

All across the country, the issue and impact of sexual violence on college campuses has been a dominant subject in conversations on student safety and gender-based violence.

While the pervasiveness of campus sexual assault is a serious concern requiring immediate address, a related issue that has often been overlooked is the prevalence of intimate partner violence in university communities.

Also known as dating violence or domestic violence, relationship violence is the physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse or stalking of an individual by a person with whom they have a close, personal relationship.

What defines relationship partners is oftentimes an emotional connectedness and continuing interaction between the individuals, and can be a romantic or sexual partner, or a current or former spouse.

While physical or sexual violence is a more visible form of abuse, emotional abuse, like isolation from friends and family, extreme jealousy or insecurity, checking your partner’s cell phone without permission, explosive or combative tempers, and constant put-downs, are also warning signs of an abusive partner.

Present research indicates that over 50% of college students have experienced some form of relationship violence.

Due to lack of awareness of the signs of abuse and the availability of support networks, as well as issues like victim-blaming and fear of retaliation when reporting violence, relationship violence in university communities often goes under-reported.

“There’s more domestic/relationship violence with typical college-age students than is perceived to occur,” said Dr. Gilda Garcia, the Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at Texas State University in San Marcos, “Students ages 18-22 benefit from education related to establishing healthy relationships.”

Many are not aware that Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education, not only addresses the issue of sexual assault, but also domestic and intimate partner violence.

The Texas State Office of Equity and Access provides a variety of services on campus, including training on Title IX, and training and consultation on diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

The Texas State University Title IX Coordinator tracks the university activities related to Title IX compliance, including investigations, training, and case management.

In efforts to maintain a safe academic and work environment, the Office of Equity and Access ensures compliance with discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct laws and policies, and conducts investigations of complaints.

While cultural assumptions perpetuate the idea of a single type of abusive relationship, one that is heterosexual and where the female partner is the victim and the male partner is the abuser, it is important to recognize that anyone can be a victim of abuse and anyone can perpetuate violence.

Men, transgender individuals, and genderqueer individuals can and do experience relationship violence, and more focus has also been given recently to issues of stalking and abuse in LGBTQ partnerships.

Relationship violence also disproportionately affects women of color and low-income women.

“Although women between the ages of 18-25 are more likely to be the victim of dating violence, men are victims as well,” said Xavier Reveles, a Health Promotion Specialist at Texas State University, and a member of the student organization Men Against Violence.

“So that we understand the full scope of violence in our society, research also tells us that dating violence within the LGBTQ community occurs at similar rates as compared to heterosexual relationships.”

Often students are unaware that there are resources on campus and in the community to assist them or their peers who suffer relationship violence, said Reveles.

There are a variety of ways students at Texas State University can get connected to services and organizations which assist victims of abuse, and opportunities for local volunteers to provide support and advocacy.

To report an incident of sexual misconduct, including relationship violence, dating or domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, or sexual intimidation like cyber stalking or indecent exposure, Texas State University students, faculty, and staff can contact the Texas State University Office of Equity and Access at (512) 245-2539 or visit their website at www.txstate.edu/oea.

The Texas State University Counseling Center is available to provide counseling and education to Texas State students seeking individual and group counseling.

The Center also holds a Sexual Assault and Abuse Survivors Support Group for women facilitated by Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center.

For more information on services, contact the Texas State Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208 or visit their website at www.counseling.txstate.edu.

Men Against Violence (MAV), a peer-education student organization at Texas State University, educates and trains students on violence prevention, oppression and discrimination, and fostering healthy relationships.

Started by three male students in 1997, MAV was created to bring men into the discussion of violence prevention work, and conducts outreach events, campus-wide documentary screenings, “Take Back the Night” events, and creates opportunities for student involvement on campus.

Meetings are Mondays at 5:00P at the Texas State University Student Health Center, and membership is open to all students, regardless of sex, gender, gender expression/identity, or sexual orientation. “Violence impacts everyone,” said Reveles, “everyone should be a part of the solution.”

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC) also offers free short-term and advocacy services to victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse who live, work or go to school in the Hays County and Caldwell County area.

Another way you can be proactive in taking a stand against relationship violence is to consider getting involved in YOUR community.

Attend or become a sponsor to help support HCWC’s biggest fundraiser, our Annual Live and Silent Auction which will be held on Friday, May 19^th. For more information, please call HCWC at (512) 396-3404 or visit www.hcwc.org