How serious is the problem?

• Over 1/3 of both male and female college students report that they have either initiated or responded with some degree of violence to their partner (Koss, 1996).

• Between 25% and 33% of relationships between LGBT partners include abuse, a rate equal to that of heterosexual relationships (PRIDE Foundation).

• 85% of women with disabilities are victims of domestic abuse, in comparison with, on average, 25 to 50 percent of the general population (Colorado Department of Health, 1997).

How do I know if I am in a violent relationship?

Ask yourself the following questions if you think you may be in an abusive relationship:

• Does my partner push, shove, slap, hit, kick, punch, choke or restrain me against my will?

• Does my partner try to put me down or insult me by saying I could never get with anyone as good as them?

• Does my partner try to make me feel guilty about my spending time with my family and friends? 

• Does my partner force me to have sexual relations with him/her when I do not want to? If so, am I afraid to talk to him about this?

• Does my partner monitor where I go, whom I talk to, who I hang out with, what I wear and what I say?

• If I disagree with my partner about something, do I worry about a threateningand/or violent response?

• If I told my partner that I wanted to end the relationship am I afraid of what the response might be?

• Does my partner call me names that make me feel bad about myself?

If you answered, "yes" to these questions you may be in an abusive relationship. Please contact the Counseling Center at 285-1736 or come to room 320, Lucina Hall to make an appointment.  In addition, you may want to contact the Office of Victim Services and speak to the campus victim advocate for additional information or assistance.