University talks domestic violence

Written by: Jocelyn Talavera/Staff Writer

Eliana Martinez said she witnessed her roommate abused by her boyfriend.

Martinez, a junior health service administration major, said she tried addressing the issue, but her roommate was too scared to seek help.

“We knew he didn’t treat her well, but once that happened and we all talked to her, that scared her off a bit,” said Martinez. “You feel overwhelmed, but once she started accepting it, it got better.”

When it comes to consequences from dating or domestic violence, Yulisa Vega, Women’s Center program assistant at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, said she wants women to know that they don’t have to face their “demons” all by themselves.

“You’re not helpless, and it’s very hard to talk about. Stigma is very hard to break and I definitely understand people have a hard time coming forward. You’re not alone. We care, and we’ll be your support group,” said Vega. “You’re strong no matter what. You’re a survivor.”

Dating and domestic violence is a common issue on college campuses that affect both male and females. Nationally, one in three women and one in four men will experience some form of physical violence by a partner within their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Domestic violence is most common among women between the ages of 18 to 24, with 43 percent of dating college women experiencing abusive behavior from their partners, according to the NCADV.

Domestic violence can take shape as physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse with the goal to maintain power or control over a partner.

In October of this year, there were two separate incidents on campus relating to domestic disputes.

In a parking lot at MMC, a female student said that a male student was upset to see her, and he punched her driver’s side window. She said that she was afraid of him, according to a report by the University’s police department.

A second incident, which took place Wednesday, Oct. 7, involved a married couple who live separately. The estranged husband entered the female’s workplace, persuading her into being in a romantic relationship with him again.

The estranged husband has an active injunction order of domestic violence against him from July of this year, according to a police report.

When issues like this take place at the University, the cases can be handled by the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Department, which is responsible for adjudicating all infractions for the Student Code of Conduct, according to Kristen Kawczynski.

“We do have dating and domestic violence cases, and we handle them if they are student related. All students are referred to the FIU Victim Empowerment Program for services and support,” said Kawczynski, Student Conduct Conflict director.

If a victim does not want to cooperate out of fear or doubt, the department can go forth handling these certain situations, but many factors go into making that decision, according to Kawczynski.

Kawczynski also said the department creates proactive programming for faculty, staff and students.

There are University policies and procedures when it comes to intervening on issues relating to relationship violence, sexual offenses and stalking, according to the Counseling and Psychological Services website.

These procedures include informing students of reporting obligations and confidentiality; ensuring safety and informing victims of their rights to report incidents to the police.

For the protection of a university’s community, Title IX is a federal civil right that prohibits against sex discrimination in education, which includes sexual harassment or violence.

The University commits to this law by connecting students with on-campus resources, such as the Victim Empowerment Program. The program provides free and confidential assistance to individuals who have been threatened or experience actual violence. It also helps students to recover from physical abuse, according to the program’s website.

Justin Santoli is a peer educator for the Victim Empowerment Program, whose role is to educate fellow peers on topics like unhealthy relationships, sexual and domestic violence, depression or stress.

“We go into classrooms or anyone that requests us — usually Greek life, athletics or freshman classes — and we do presentations on a variety of topics; primarily sexual assault, relationship abuse and stalking but also time and stress management and other mental health issues,” said Santoli.

Often times, emotional abuse is the first type of abuse to happen and is very difficult to spot. A lot of students don’t realize what those red flags are, according to Santoli.

“Some red flags of emotional abuse would be extreme jealousy, constantly checking social media, ignoring your partner’s feelings and neglect. Also, criticizing them in public, isolating them, telling them they can’t see certain people or forcing them to dress a certain way that they aren’t comfortable with,” said Santoli.

jocelyn.talavera@fiusm.com

Image by: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, courtesy of Creative Commons

About the Author

Camila Fernandez
A FIU School of Journalism and Mass Communications Student - Began working with Student Media in 2013.

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