#DVAM2020: Domestic & Dating Violence on College and University Campuses
While sexual assault on college campuses has gotten a lot of attention over the last ten years, intimate partner violence on college campuses is discussed significantly less. Intimate partner violence, sometimes called domestic violence/abuse or dating violence/abuse, occurs when a person experiences psychological, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by their partner. People ages 18-24 are the most at-risk age group for experiencing intimate partner violence. The Association of American Universities 2019 Campus Climate Survey found that 10.1% of students surveyed who had been in a relationship since entering college experienced intimate partner violence.[1]
Despite the prevalence of dating violence among college students, it is underreported, and it is discussed significantly less than sexual assault among college students. There are a few reasons why this may be the case. First, many college students do not report their abuse because they may actually not realize at the time that they are being abused. A 2011 study found that among college students:
· 70% of those who experienced abuse did not know at the time that they were in an abusive relationship.
60% of those who experienced abuse said that while they were in the relationship, no one tried to help them
42% of those who experienced abuse said they didn’t tell anyone about the abuse.
57% percent surveyed reported that it was very difficult or somewhat difficult to identify dating abuse. [2]
Because many people have their first romantic and sexual relationships around this age, those experiencing intimate partner violence may not realize that what they are experiencing is abusive. This dynamic also sets up young survivors of intimate partner violence to feel that abusive behaviors in relationships are normal; as a result, many are re-victimized by different partners. It is important that high school and college students learn about the signs of abuse both in their own relationships and in others’ relationships. Many organizations or agencies have lists of common warning signs of abuse: National Domestic Violence Hotline; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. School health centers or counseling centers may also have information for students on warning signs of abuse.
Students may also simply not know how to get help. The same 2011 study found that 58% of college students don’t know what to do is someone they know is a victim of abuse, and 38% said they don’t know what to do if they themselves are a victim.[3] Most schools have counseling centers and many have advocates that specialize in helping students who have experienced dating violence or sexual assault. These are resources that are available to students whether or not they want to file a complaint against their partner with the school or with law enforcement.
Additionally, many college students choose not to report to their school because they don’t think their school can help.
Physical violence is less common than psychological or verbal abuse, and many who have experienced psychological or verbal abuse minimize their experience, or believe that what they experienced was not “bad enough” for the school to intervene. Unfortunately, as a result of the 2020 Title IX regulations, schools are not obligated to respond to reports of non-physical forms of abuse. Rather, the regulations mandate that schools use a strict definition of “domestic violence” and “dating violence” that only includes physical violence. Even if Title IX does not cover psychological or verbal abuse, it is possible that a school may prohibit it under their student conduct code. Even if a school does not prohibit psychological or verbal forms of intimate partner violence, students experiencing those things are still able to take advantage of on-campus resources like counseling centers or specialized advocates.
If you or someone you know has experienced intimate partner violence and you would like to learn about options available to you, you can call NVRDC at 202-742-1727 or go to our “Get Help” page and request to speak to an NVRDC attorney.
Citations:
[1] David Cantor, Bonnie Fisher, Susan Chibnall, et. al. Association of American Universities (AAU), Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct (January 17, 2020).
[2] http://www.loveisrespect.org/pdf/College_Dating_And_Abuse_Final_Study.pdf
[3] Id.