A Resource Guide for Faculty, Teaching Assistants, Medical Practitioners, and Professional Staff
Common Problems Abusive Dating Relationships Academic or Career-Related Concerns Aggression and Potential Violence Anxiety Demanding Behavior Depression Disabilities Eating Disorders Grief Hate Crime or Hate Incidents Hazing Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder Poor Contact with Reality Psychiatric Disabilities Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment Stalking Substance Abuse Suicide

Abusive Dating Relationships

Physical and sexual violence in early adult relationships often starts during teenage dating when males and females form their first conclusions about what to expect and accept from each other. In many cases, teenagers are predisposed to accept physical abuse because of exposure to it in their homes, either as victims or witnesses. Members of the LGBT community experience violence in their intimate relationships at about the same rate as heterosexuals. Only one in twenty-five adolescent victims seeks professional help. Abusive relationships often involve a pattern of repeated verbal, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse that escalates the longer the relationship continues. Some of the indicators of an abusive relationship are verbal abuse; isolation from friends and loved ones; fear of the partner’s temper; fear of abandonment by the partner; accepting the partner’s controlling behavior; fear of intimidation; the distortion of the partner’s hurtful behavior; assuming responsibility for the partner’s abusive behavior; feeling trapped; and fear of leaving the abusive partner. Some abusive relationships include behaviors that are in violation of Campus Regulations and/or state laws. When you became aware that a student is in an abusive relationship:

DO

  1. When possible, see the student in private.
  2. Be aware that the student may be feeling vulnerable and fearful.
  3. Be supportive of the student and aware that being a victim of an abusive relationship involves many psychological factors.
  4. Refer the student to the Women’s Center to speak to the Rape Prevention Education Program coordinator (893-3778).
  5. Refer the student to Counseling Services (893-4411).
  6. If the student believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment, they may file a complaint or grievance. For additional information related to this process, refer the student to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment/Title IX Compliance, 3217 Phelps Hall, (893-2701)
  7. Be aware that interventions from numerous sources are the best approach to dealing with abusive relationships.
  8. Be aware that each intervention increases the probability of a student’s leaving an abusive relationship.
  9. Be aware that denial and distortion enable a person to remain in an abusive relationship.
  10. Encourage the student to call the police (893-3446) when rape or violence is involved.
  11. Consult with the police (893-3446) when concerned about the student’s safety.
  12. Encourage the student to connect with family, friends, or a support system.

DON’T

  1. 1. Ignore or minimize the situation.
  2. Speak to the student in a derogatory manner.
  3. Lecture the student about his/her poor judgment.
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