Talking to Your College Student About Intimate Partner Violence

College is an exciting time for students and a time of great anxiety for their parents. While parents may worry about violent crime by strangers on campus, for most women, the person they are dating poses a much greater threat. In fact, 43 percent of college women report violent or abusive behavior by a partner. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is most common for women in the 18 to 24 age range, and college women are therefore at high risk. It is essential to talk to your college-age child about IPV, especially if you are noticing warning signs of abuse. If you or your child is experiencing IPV, resources and legal protections are available.

If you or your college student is facing intimate partner violence or other abuse, the LLF Law Firm can help you put a strategy in place to stop it. We can help protect your child and their college experience from this illegal and unwarranted abuse. Call the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.

Intimate Partner Violence and College Students

Many college-age students have a great deal of difficulty identifying and responding to IPV on their own. Although it may be difficult for parents to understand, young people often do not recognize abusive dating behavior. A recent study found that 57 percent of college students say it’s difficult to identify dating abuse. Frequently, abusive behavior will escalate to sexual threats, intimidation, or sexual assault before the student understands that they are facing IPV.

Even when young people realize they are being abused, they may not know where to turn or what to do. While the majority of college-age women have had at least one friend who experienced dating abuse or sexual assault, most report not knowing where to go for help. For students who have only recently moved away from home, this lack of help can lead them to endure the abuse or to be silent.

Responding to Intimate Partner Violence

If you or your college-age child is experiencing intimate partner violence, it is vital to take action. Violent relationships tend to escalate over time, and half of all female homicide victims were murdered by a current or ex-partner. The first step for many college students is to get to their campus health center, where resources and support are available. Consider calling the National Relationship Abuse Hotline at 800-799-7233 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673. Remember that leaving an abusive relationship is a dangerous time, which should involve an exit plan, including a Protective Order.

Protective Orders and IPV

Protective Orders are an essential tool in responding to IPV. In dating relationships, violence often includes a sexual element, from sexual intimidation to sexual assault. In Pennsylvania, victims of sexual violence or threats can obtain a Sexual Violence Protective Order (SVPO). Once an SVPO is in place, the defendant will be barred from contact with the victim or seeking contact. If the abuser violates the SVPO, they face jail time and fines. SVPOs (or other restraining orders) are an excellent tool to prevent further violence and protect yourself or your child.

Call the LLF Law Firm for Help Addressing IPV

If you or your child is facing intimate partner violence, don’t wait for the situation to escalate further. If left unanswered, IPV typically escalates and can result in tragedy. The LLF Law Firm Family Law Team can assist you in obtaining a Protective Order and will help you & your child navigate the PFA process that can aid in beginning healing from this challenging time. Call the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.