Dating Violence
We often think that dating and relationships are fun, exciting activities that enhance our sense of well-being and make us feel good about ourselves. We envision supportive partners who treat us kindly with love and respect. But violence can and does occur in intimate relationships, even in college. For approximately one out of four college students who date, dating violence is a reality involving physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Dating violence is controlling, abusive and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. Abusive partners may use a combination of the following tactics to control, manipulate and abuse a partner:
- Physical – Hitting, pinching, shoving, restraining, destroying property, choking, threats of harm
- Sexual – rape, sexual abuse, or any coercion or manipulation of a partner to engage in sexual behaviors
- Emotional – insults, name-calling, yelling, threats, stalking, extreme jealousy, humiliating a partner in public or private, isolating a partner from friends or family, threatening to “out” a gay/lesbian partner, making someone account for their time, threats to harm themselves
Dating abuse occurs in all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and religious groups. Abuse in relationships exists in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships at approximately the same rate as in heterosexual relationships.
Incidence and reporting of college dating violence
- 32% of students report dating violence by a previous partner, and 21% report violence by a current partner.
- 39%-54% of dating violence victims remain in physically abusive relationships.
- 50% of dating violence victims report the violence to someone else: of these, 88% report the incidence to a friend and 20% to the authorities.
- The beliefs that dating violence is a private matter, not important enough and fear of retaliation are reasons given for not reporting the violence.
Victims and dating violence
Victims may remain in an abusive relationship for many reasons, including: fear of the perpetrator, self-blame, minimization of the crime, loyalty or love for the perpetrator, social or religious stigma, or lack of understanding. However, there is no need to remain in a violent relationship.
You have rights!
Dating rights and relationship rights
You have the right:
- to be free of fear to state opinions and express your feelings
- to be treated fairly and honestly
- to share equally in decision making
- to decide whether to engage in sexual activity or not
- to determine how serious you want a relationship
- to be to privacy and time for yourself
- to cultivate friendships of your choice to end the relationship
Legal rights
Illinois Domestic Violence Act Dating violence is a serious issue and a crime. Law enforcement officers are required to provide assistance to victims. An Order of Protection, a written court order, can be obtained to require an abusive dating partner or household or family member to stop the abuse and may require him/her to do other things such as stay away from the victim or vacate a shared residence.
Supporting Someone in an Abusive Relationship Sometimes offering support to a friend who is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship can be difficult. They may not be ready to take our well-intentioned "advice." It is helpful for us, as support people, to get help for ourselves to help us support our friends, family members and loved ones who may be struggling in an abusive situation.
Who can help
- Contact the police department at 9-911 if you are on campus of 911 if you are off campus.
- The Counseling Center is designed to help students address many academic, relational, and emotional concerns. Please call 333-3704 during business hours.
- Emergency services after-hours are provided by Provena Behavioral Health Crisis Line at (217) 359-4141.
- The Office of Women’s Programs provides advocacy, support services and outreach for sexual assault and relationship abuse issues. Contact them at 333-3137 or visit their Website at: www.odos.uiuc.edu/women, to see a complete listing of available resources for dating violence, including information about safe houses.
References
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Women’s ProgramsThe National Center for Victims of Crime Web site - Dating Violence Resource Center, link to Campus Dating Violence: Fact Sheet.