This article by a professional essay writing company AdvancedWriters (which provides students with academic writing help) will touch on a very sensitive topic that many college students are afraid of opening up about: which is violence in a relationship. Intimate partner violence is also what dating violence is called is a major problem in plenty of colleges across the world.
According to various reports that have been published over the years one in ten men, one in three women, and one in two transgender people are subjected to dating violence by their partners. In the United States, women between the ages of 16 - 24 experience a high level of violence from their partners.
What are the forms of dating violence in colleges?
1. Physical abuse at the hands of a partner
This is where one uses brute force to intimidate and/or cause bodily harm to the person they are dating. Joan Young pointed out that “physically abusing someone can involve things like kicking, punching, using weapons, grabbing, shoving, slapping, choking, restraining, spitting, shaking, punching and even burning”. This experience can be very traumatizing for a partner and if they find themselves in this scenario, they need to seek help right away before things go from bad to worse.
2. Emotional, psychological, and verbal abuse from a partner
When people think of the word “abuse”, they feel a person has to physically harm someone to be classed as abuse but that’s not the case. Actions that one takes to psychological and emotional breakdown of their partner is also abuse. This involves things like name-calling, separating them from their friends and family, destroying precious or sentimental items they own, monitoring where they go, belittling, intimidating, ignoring, insulting, mind games, threats, and criticism.
3. Sexual abuse from a partner
This is where one forces their dating partner to take part in sexual activities against their will or consent. This involves things like pressuring, forcing, or guilt-tripping them into having sex when they don’t to. This is one of the worst forms of abuse which many women suffer and it is classed as rape if consent is not given.
4. Digital abuse at the hand of a partner
This type of abuse has come about because of technological advancements and it is where social media is used to control, harass, monitor, threaten and intimidate a partner. College students are addicted to their phones and use them to communicate, read content, listen to music and watch videos. Things like sending numerous texts a day, calling multiple times, demanding or stealing passwords, putting pressure on a partner to participate in sexually charged text messages, forcing them to send sexual images, checking their text messages on their social media accounts, and more.
What effects does dating violence have on college students?
Violence doesn't discriminate and anyone in college can be a victim regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or race. Students who survive abusive relationships often talk about how they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and drug or alcohol abuse.
What can students in violent relationships do?
1. Recognizing that abuse is wrong
Being in an abusive relationship is unhealthy and can be both physically and emotionally draining for the victim. Admitting that one is in an abusive relationship is the first step towards recovery because many victims stay in denial which does them more harm than good. Any student in this scenario needs to know that help is available if they need it and they are not alone as long as they recognize the situation they are in is not right. Someone who claims they love you will not be abusive to you.
2. Get counseling
Many colleges across the world offer some form of counseling to students dealing with things like the loss of a loved one, stress, anxiety, depression, and abuse. Should the first signs of abuse be stopped, victims are encouraged to seek counseling immediately because many women end up losing their lives if they stay in abusive relationships.
3. Call the authorities
A student should never be shy to call for help especially when it comes to dating violence because lives can sometimes be lost if intervention arrives too late. On-duty campus police are there to help any victims suffering from dating violence. The matter can also be reported to the administration department of the college one is attending if there is no campus police on sight. They will take the necessary action needed to protect any victim from further harm.
4. Legal actions
When students are in a violent relationship, they feel alone and that there’s no one out there who can help. The law is always on the side of domestic violence victims as long as they have concrete evidence. There are some legal actions a student can take when they are being abused by their partner which includes criminal proceedings, restraining orders, off-campus police, and more.
5. Seek support
Students in this horrible situation who sought social support have said it has helped them deal with it. Knowing that they are not alone and opening up to others going through the same thing has given them the strength to stand up for themselves and eventually walk away from being subjected to violence.
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