American Association for Paralegal Education

Volume 31, No. 1 SPRING/SUMMER 2016

See article on page 17

Intimate Partner Violence on College Campuses

The Paralegal

18 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 THE PARALEGAL EDUCATOR

During their college years, some young adults

students may already be married, in long-term

1

2

(such as punching walls, slamming doors, breaking or throwing

BY DOVIE YOANA KING, J.D. - Miramar College

Intimate Partner Violence on College Campuses

THE PARALEGAL EDUCATOR SPRING/SUMMER 2016 19

4

abusive behaviors from their partner.

or ex-boyfriend.

the course of their college career, and approximately

campus library with her study group when her husband began to stalk her. Seeing that Mandy was in a co-ed study group, he became enraged with jealousy, storming into the library

and afraid at the public spectacle, Mandy refused to leave

due later that day in class. Mandy immediately reported the

dispute.” Mandy became discouraged and decided not to

given the lack of a family support system in place, Mandy had no one to turn to and became increasingly isolated, coping with fear and shame in her private world. Mandy eventually dropped out of college, unable to access outside help and

college students face in terms of accessing services that may

important to recognize that college campuses are not immune

6

partner violence is frequently misunderstood by college personnel who are not properly trained about the dynamics

family support structures in place, making them feel alone

of state or a foreign country or otherwise far away from their

so it is important that we have a basic understanding of the problem in order to intervene in an appropriate fashion.

available on campus or locally in the community

professionals. Scholarships are available to help

employment in order to comply with federal and state laws. It is therefore advisable to check with the

20 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 THE PARALEGAL EDUCATOR

available campus resources, such as counseling services, support groups, food banks and medical clinics, and that

of college students report not knowing how to get help on

student approaches one of us for help, we should be

In reality, there are many reasons why people stay in abusive

student in a non-judgmental way, acknowledge that he or

planning to leave the abuser.

we can certainly help connect them to resources to break

anonymous assistance by highly trained, expert advocates through a 24-hour telephone hotline, including referrals to shelters, counseling and law enforcement.8

such as pro bono legal assistance to obtain a divorce, or a restraining order to establish custody and supervised

9

restraining order records it with campus police as a safety

if necessary.

BIOGRAPHY

ENDNOTES1

Internet at

2

siblings, adult children), or living with or formerly living together with as

or children together with.

Supra note 1.

4

events is purely coincidental.

6See

Supra note 6.

8www.thehotline.org

9See www.