Amaura Kemmerer, LICSW
Executive Vice President of Client Engagement
Falling in love as a young adult should be exciting and new. Unfortunately, some relationships, even those that may seem exciting at the start, can take a dark turn, resulting in violent behavior or sexual assault. Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence (IPV), is sadly far too common on college campuses.
Domestic violence is defined as abusive behavior in any relationship where one partner maintains power and control over another. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological. Though anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, young women and trans young adults are at greater risk. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), women between 16-24 experience domestic violence more than any other age range and almost three times the national average. According to the Williams Institute, transgender people may experience similar or higher levels of IPV as compared to cisgender people, with lifetime IPV among transgender people ranging from 31.1%to 50.0%.
The statistics on domestic abuse on college campuses are especially alarming. NCADV reports that 43% of college women reported experiencing violent or abusive behaviors from their partner, and one in five women were sexually assaulted during their college tenure. Data from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reveals that 26.4% of undergraduate females, 23.1% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) students, and 6.8% of undergraduate males have experienced sexual assault. The rate is lower in graduate and professional students (i.e., 9.7% of females and 2.5% of males; data were not collected on trans graduate students’ experiences).
Unsurprisingly, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are likely to struggle academically. Studies show that the stress of abusive relationships may cause students’ grades to drop or they may withdraw from school altogether.
Given the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault in the college population, colleges and universities can take measures to support victims. In some populations of students, particularly LGBTQ+ students, there is a lower likelihood of reporting IPV and subsequently receiving appropriate support. Providing access to a 24/7 Clinical Support Line gives students instant access to licensed clinicians who can offer a safe space for students to confide during especially vulnerable circumstances. Additionally, colleges can also provide mental health counseling options for students, which can support students coping with the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault.
For students going through traumatic events that can impact their mental health, such as domestic violence and sexual assault, the resources offered through Christie Campus Health can be a valuable addition to the services already provided by a college or university through confidential resource centers and Title IX offices. Christie partners with higher education institutions to provide customized solutions for students to address various needs. In addition to a 24/7 Clinical Support Line and mental health counseling options (in-person and teletherapy), Christie’s services also include virtual prescribing clinics; Navigators to assist with referrals and specialty care; science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools through the Headspace app; and SilverCloud, a self-directed and clinically validated Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). Contact Christie Campus Health to learn more.