
chloe mug
According to a survey done by “Knowledge Network”, 43% of college women reported experiencing abusive dating behaviors.
Physical abuse is a very real threat, but often it overshadows the prevalence and severity of psychological abuse.
The manipulation and control exercised by abusers behind closed doors is difficult for those on the outside to detect and even more difficult to prove. Unfortunately, this means that psychological abuse; the most common abuse reported by college women, is nearly impossible to prosecute and leaves many women alone to face sinister realities at home.
Threats of self-harm and suicide, guilt trips, verbal put-downs, economic control, isolating from friends and family, and an unwillingness to accept responsibility for actions, are some of the warning signs of serious psychological abuse.
Using psychological manipulation and control, abusers are turning domestic violence laws against women who they were designed to protect. Not only is the legal system unable to help the victim in this case, it is actually used as a weapon against them. One Forbes writer commented, “The emotional trauma can’t be overstated…She thinks: “who, then, is on her side?”
70% of college students who were victims of abuse reported that at the time, they were not aware that their relationship was abusive.
Sometimes the symptoms of dysfunction become unclear when it involves those we care about.
Even if you do not consider your relationship abusive, I urge you to review the Power and Control Wheel available at www.ncdsv.org. Look over the symptoms of an abusive relationship because statistically, you or someone close to you needs to understand that life can be different.
If you would like to discuss your concerns with someone privately, and without cost, Call ESU Counseling Services (620) 341-5222 to set up an appointment. Hopefully, when a woman, or man for that matter, asks who is on their side, we can give a resounding answer of “We are.”