Domestic violence rates high on college campuses

On Sept. 13, 2009, the peace of the campus was disturbed when an incident occurred around 8 p.m. outside of Berry Hall. According to the University Police Department, a call came in stating "a male was beating a female in the Berry Hall parking lot."

When the officer arrived, he ascertained the couple was going through a break-up and the boyfriend was extremely angry about it. After questioning the female further, she said he had pushed her hard enough to make her fall back a few steps, but she did not hit the ground.

When police questioned the male party, he said he heard his car alarm going off and when he went outside to check on it, he found his girlfriend there. At this point, the couple began arguing and the situation escalated to the point to where the physical assault took place.

At this point, the male suspect was arrested, booked and taken to the Hunt County Dentention Center.

Studies across the United States have shown alarming statistics in regard to college campuses and this particular brand of criminality.

According to Dr. Sandra Smith, director of a marriage and family therapy program, she stated in a 2006 press release 30 percent of college students are in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) claims 42 percent of campus stalkers are either current or ex-boyfriends.

Another study cited by NCADV stated as few as three percent of women actually reported this abuse to close friends and family members, and an even smaller percentage reported it to the police.

"There have been a total of 11 domestic violence cases on campus from 2008 until now," Lt. Jason Bone, crime information officer for Texas A&M University-Commerce said.

This is only the number of reported cases and does not reflect the actual number of cases that have occurred here on campus.

"When people come to college, there is a lot of stress that is added to a load that may be unstable to begin with," Matthew Crutchfield, a student at A&M-Commerce said. "With all of the work, the stress of being in a new environment, and students being exposed to things and people they may have never known before, it can lead to a meltdown of sorts which can be violent in nature."

According to the website www.helpguide.org, there are some things that can be done to minimize the risk of being put into a potentially dangerous situation. First, be aware of the warning signs. Verbal abuse, extreme jealousy, being controlling of where the partner goes and what they do, alcohol and drug abuse, emotional abuse, and the partner keeping the significant other from their friends or family can be some of the warning signs of possible domestic abuse.

The website also states if a student does find themselves in an abusive relationship, they should speak up about it and take the necessary steps to make sure that the abuse does not escalate to violence. This includes speaking to a friend or family member in private about the situation or even calling the police if abuse is or has taken place.

For students finding themselves in an abusive relationship, there are organizations out there that can help. The NCADV has a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and locally there is an organization called "Women In Need" who can be reached at 903-454-4357.