Last week in the Panasci Lounge at Syracuse University, the Clothesline Project was on display — a presentation of T-shirts decorated by individuals affected by interpersonal violence.

The project showed SU’s campus community that domestic violence doesn’t exclude college students, and noted why it’s incredibly important to advocate for others.

According to a 2011 report from Break the Cycle Inc., an organization that aims to help teens escape domestic abuse, 57 percent of college students who reported being in an abusive relationship said it occurred in college.

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But at the same time, 58 percent of students said they didn’t know what to do to help someone who’s a victim of dating abuse, according to Break the Cycle Inc. Not only is relationship violence a issue on campuses, but many students also don’t know how to navigate methods of support.

Being younger, college students suffer different consequences from violence than those much older. That’s why it’s important that students are there for peers, and they equip themselves with tools to be supportive.

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Multiple resources exist on college campuses for those in abusive situations. Specific to SU, the Counseling Center’s Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team is available 24/7 for services. Another resource located in the Syracuse area is Vera House Inc., a domestic and sexual violence prevention organization dedicated to assisting those in need.

“If you’re looking at someone in their 20s or younger, the brain is still developing,” said Tiffany Brec, campus project coordinator at Vera House Inc. “When someone is experiencing violence at that age, you’re looking at significant risks in their physical, emotional and social development.”

Recognizing the signs of relationship violence is important, and all college students should have general knowledge about those signs. It’s up to us, as students, as friends, as humans, to show compassion and speak up when something seems off.

Necessary action depends on your relationship to the person, of course. And checking in with friends to simply convey support can be critical.

It’s crucial that you take a few minutes each day to forget about yourself, and listen, empower and be there for someone in crisis.

Jennifer Bancamper is a sophomore English and textual studies major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at jbancamp@syr.edu.

Published on October 21, 2018 at 7:07 pm