Spring Break
Officials warn against dating violence
By: Erin Wood
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
Domestic or dating violence is a serious issue on college campuses. There are several different types of dating violence which affect college students, both men and women.
"Domestic violence - also called relationship or dating violence, intimate partner violence and spousal abuse - is pervasive in our society and college students, like the rest of society, are affected by it," said Merna Jacobsen, interim director of the Women's Resource Center.
The highest rate of intimate partner violence is among women ages 16-24 and approximately 32 percent of college students are victims of domestic violence.
It is important for college students to be educated about it, Jacobsen said.
"You want to be informed about the resources at the University and in the community so you can get yourself out of an abusive situation or be supportive of someone who is in one," she said.
Domestic Violence Awareness month is a time for educators and students to discuss relationship violence and what it means.
October is a time for students to recognize that domestic or relationship violence is a problem and that there are resources available to help those in need, said Sgt. Allan Baron.
"This awareness campaign also gives agencies from the University and the local community the opportunity to bring to light the many issues that surround domestic violence, the available resources and remember the many individuals who have been victims of domestic violence," Baron said.
Domestic or dating violence can be divided into three categories: sexual, physical and emotional.
Sexual violence can include sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse. As defined by Texas A&M Student Rules, "sexual assault is the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by a sexual organ of another or anal-vaginal penetration by any means against the victim's will or without his/her consent."
A person is unable to give consent if they are unconscious, incapacitated or unaware. Physical force, intentional impairment and threats are several types of force used in sexual assault.
"Domestic violence - also called relationship or dating violence, intimate partner violence and spousal abuse - is pervasive in our society and college students, like the rest of society, are affected by it," said Merna Jacobsen, interim director of the Women's Resource Center.
The highest rate of intimate partner violence is among women ages 16-24 and approximately 32 percent of college students are victims of domestic violence.
It is important for college students to be educated about it, Jacobsen said.
"You want to be informed about the resources at the University and in the community so you can get yourself out of an abusive situation or be supportive of someone who is in one," she said.
Domestic Violence Awareness month is a time for educators and students to discuss relationship violence and what it means.
October is a time for students to recognize that domestic or relationship violence is a problem and that there are resources available to help those in need, said Sgt. Allan Baron.
"This awareness campaign also gives agencies from the University and the local community the opportunity to bring to light the many issues that surround domestic violence, the available resources and remember the many individuals who have been victims of domestic violence," Baron said.
Domestic or dating violence can be divided into three categories: sexual, physical and emotional.
Sexual violence can include sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse. As defined by Texas A&M Student Rules, "sexual assault is the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by a sexual organ of another or anal-vaginal penetration by any means against the victim's will or without his/her consent."
A person is unable to give consent if they are unconscious, incapacitated or unaware. Physical force, intentional impairment and threats are several types of force used in sexual assault.
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