Today: Dec 08, 2024

Red Flag: Domestic Violence and taking measures to stop it

Philip Zoppi – General Assignment Reporter

Domestic violence is a persistent issue in the world today. Despite awareness about domestic violence being raised, it is not enough to put it to an end.

According to the Huffington Post, 70 percent of women worldwide will experience physical and/or sexual abuse by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Along with that statistic, US News reported that out of those 70 percent of women being abused, most victims are aged 18 to 24.  A lot of this abuse is happening on college campuses and this needs to stop.

The key to stopping domestic violence and abuse in relationships is to notify someone if you believe someone is being abused in a relationship.

Justin Triunfo, a junior at Southern, expressed that he would not let any of his friends go through an abusive relationship.

“If I saw one of my friends in an abusive relationship, I would go talk to them and tell them that they can’t let that happen to them,” said Triunfo. “If it continued I would have to go tell a counselor because I can’t see that happen to my friend.”

Triunfo would be doing the right thing by reporting what he sees to authorities, but not everyone makes this decision.

Another shocking fact the US News reported was that only a little over half of domestic violence cases are reported to authorities. Even worse, only about a third of victims injured through intimate partner violence receive medical care.

Instances like this could come from the victim being too scared to say something, or someone not reporting something they see in a friend’s relationship. Either way, if these behaviors changed, the amount of domestic violence happening worldwide and on college campuses would change as well.

With October being domestic violence awareness month, people are talking about it a lot more. This is good, because it is not openly discussed enough.

Odamesa Igbuya, a junior at Southern, thinks that victims of domestic violence should seek help immediately. She also said she would not allow it to happen to someone she knew.

“I would tell [the victim] to leave [the abuser] alone. If I saw domestic violence [occurring], I would get someone involved, like the police,” said Igbuya.

That is the plan of action everyone should take. Telling the abuser to stop, or the victim to leave the abuser is going to be a tough task. However, getting the police involved could solve a lot of problems.

Kieyshona Taylor, a freshman at Southern, shares some of the same views that Igbuya does.

“I would probably tell the victim that they don’t have to be in that situation,” said Taylor when asked what she would do if she knew of domestic violence happening.

Taylor also agreed with Igbuya in that getting authorities involved is probably the best action you can take.

Domestic violence is a very hot topic in the news recently due to NFL players like Ray Rice and Greg Hardy being involved with it.

This topic is not often openly talked about, because it can be difficult to discuss. However, if people begin the practice of  “if you see something, say something,” then perhaps it will no longer be such a taboo issue. Domestic violence happens, and it needs to be addressed.

Photo Credit: Tyler Korponai – Photo Editor 

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