Illustration by Jordan Johnson
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in three women, or nearly 43.5 million women, and more than one in six men, or 20.7 million men, experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
UTA Police Capt. Jim Randles said in an email that while reports of domestic violence and dating violence are slightly higher than during comparable periods in previous years, the overall number of reported incidents remains low.
While reported incidents remain low, some instances of domestic violence might go unreported due to fear or a lack of knowledge about the resources available.
The Shorthorn Editorial Board believes that people should familiarize themselves with the signs of domestic violence and the resources and safety measures put in place to prevent harm.
At a Glance:
The Issue: Domestic violence can go unnoticed, leading to victims not receiving the needed care or support.
We Think: Being educated on the signs of domestic violence and the steps to get support is important.
Take Action: Individuals should familiarize themselves with signs of abuse and the resources to prevent further harm.
In 1989 the U.S. Congress declared October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month as a national campaign to raise awareness.
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is typically understood as a pattern of abusive behaviors, including physical, sexual and psychological attacks or economic coercion, used by one intimate partner against another in order to gain, maintain or regain power and control in a relationship, according to the Domestic Violence Awareness Project.
“One of the common misconceptions is that physical violence is the only form of abuse,” said Sydney Moreland, assistant director of the Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention office.
According to the CDC, domestic violence can include physical violence, sexual violence, stalking or psychological aggression. The rise in technology use and accessibility has also created tech-related abuse, Moreland said.
Another misconception of domestic violence is that it only occurs between romantic partners.
Emily Augustin, UTA Police Crime Victim Services coordinator, said domestic violence can occur in any type of relationship, whether it be married couples, partners or even roommates.
With so many ways someone could experience domestic violence, it’s important to recognize the potential signs within their relationships or a friend or family member’s.
Augustin said one sign is the disrespecting of boundaries, such as not allowing interaction with friends or attempting to isolate the victim.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, common signs of abusive behavior include:Insulting, demeaning or shamingPreventing a person from making their own decisions, including about working or attending schoolControlling financesPressuring sex or sexual actsPressuring the use of drugs or alcoholThreatening looks or actionsThreatening to take away children or petsUsing weapons to intimidateDestroying belongings or an individual’s home
Educating oneself on the signs is only the beginning of preventing harm. Knowing how to report and use the resources available to victims can lower the risk of further violence.
Students experiencing any form of violence are encouraged to reach out to the following campus resources:
“The UT Arlington Police Department takes all reports of interpersonal violence seriously and works collaboratively with University departments to investigate reported offenses, assess potential threats, and assist those affected,” Randles said.
Reporting can be hard for many reasons for those who may be experiencing domestic violence. Some may distrust the university or police due to past experiences or feel that their situation is not serious enough to make a report.
“Victims have a lot of their autonomy taken away,” Moreland said. “They’re experiencing so much trauma, and it is hard to trust anyone.”
No matter the reason for hesitancy, when it comes to reporting, she said students are always welcome to visit the RVSP office to discuss options without the requirement or fear of reporting.
Moreland said that there are few instances where a report would be required, such as a student being a risk to themselves or others, but that is very limited.
She said an advocate can be with a student throughout reporting, whether they take notes during meetings or explain what students can expect.
Sometimes, domestic violence is hard to identify when in the situation. For friends and family, it can be glaring, while the victim does not see it as such.
Moreland recommends that those outside the relationship broach the issue delicately by using what she calls the “I noticed” statement.
“So saying, ‘Hey, I noticed that your partner often checks your location and will just show up,’ and then just open the statement up for that person to respond,” she said.
Domestic violence, or any form of relationship violence, can be a hard topic for students to bring up. Trauma may block memories or cause people to feel ashamed or isolated. However, students are never alone in those situations.
“Domestic violence is everyone’s responsibility,” Moreland said. “We need to teach people and hold people accountable to recognize unhealthy behaviors, respect boundaries, intervene safely and build those relationships that are grounded in mutual respect.”
The Shorthorn Editorial Board is made up of opinion editor Noah Little, managing editor Leslie Orozco, engagement editor Sairam Marupudi, design editor Ryleigh Hood, copy editors Adwita Kunte and Isabella Moreno, and news reporters Gabrielle Jankowski and Xioany Collazo. Marupudi was not present for the discussion.