The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in four women admitted to having experienced violence from a current or former relationship in her lifetime. Relationship abuse is a very unfortunate reality.
Many of us tune out when given lectures about the preventative measures for avoiding abusive relationships. If you are guilty of this, you are either single, happily involved or avoiding the truth. Regardless of dating status, everyone should be aware of the signs of relationship abuse.
The first thing that undoubtedly comes to your mind when you think of the word “abuse” is physical violence.
Unfortunately, this is very common among couples. But it is not the only form of abuse that can manifest in relationships. Verbal and mental abuse is very common as well.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of relationship abuse. This puts the college demographic at the top of the list.
For this reason, both women and men should know where to turn and what signs to look for in their own relationships as well as others. These signs can be found on the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s website.
College students encounter a number of issues that other people facing this ordeal may not experience. Some of us may be far from our homes, our families, and may feel like the relationships we make on campus are what keep us from becoming isolated in such a massive student environment.
If an out-of-state student is currently looking to help him- or herself or a friend with an abusive relationship, educate yourself on state laws that aid victims of abuse. They can change from state to state. Laws pertaining to abuse against women in Arizona can be found at womenslaw.org.
Another problem college students face is the confusion of what can be defined as “abuse”. If any action or statement is made towards someone in a relationship and it makes him or her uncomfortable, tell someone.
Maybe they will be able to work through it with a friend or maybe decide they want to talk to someone more removed from the situation.
In this case, ASU offers counseling services to its students that will help you with your situation.
For the sake of definition, according to David Carnes at the Live Strong website, mental abuse that occurs in intimate relationships can incorporate any or all of the following: domination, verbal abuse, emotional blackmail, denial, or passive aggression.
The website for the Lindsay Ann Burke Memorial provides the following forms of abuse: extreme jealousy, controlling behavior, quick involvement, isolation, hypersensitivity, cruelty to animals or children, verbal abuse, mood swings, history of battering, threats of violence, breaking objects in anger and use of force during an argument or sex.
If you think you or someone you know may be in an abusive relationship after reading these indicators, say something.
Your voice could be the difference needed to break free from the shackles of relationship abuse.
Reach the columnist at ebeckley@asu.edu.
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