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What is "Relationship Violence?"
The term "relationship violence" refers to verbal, written, physical, or other acts of violence, threat, or intimidation directed by an individual at another individual with whom the aggressor is involved in an intimate relationship. (An intimate relationship may be of a romantic, sexual, marital, or family nature.) The physical violence, threat, or intimidation may occur at differing intervals, may involve one or more parties to an intimate relationship, and may include varying degrees of aggression.
No one deserves to be abused.
What are signs of an abusive relationship?
You may be in an abusive relationship if your partner...
Does violence occur in same-sex relationships?
Violence does occur in same-sex relationships. In fact, statistics show that same-sex relationship violence is as common as heterosexual relationship violence. The elements of abusive relationships are similar for heterosexual and homosexual couples.
Are men ever abused by their female partners?
Yes, men can be-and are-abused by their girlfriends and/or wives. However, data from domestic violence programs indicate that 95 percent of domestic violence is perpetrated by men against women.
Why does someone stay in an abusive relationship?
There are many reasons a person may not be ready or able to leave an abusive relationship. Some of these reasons include the following:
Perhaps the more important question is this: "Why do abusers hurt people with whom they have intimate relationships?"
What are the characteristics of a healthy relationship?
Healthy relationships have these qualities:
What is Stalking?
"Stalking" involves specific kinds of behavior, such as harassment or threat, directed by one person at another person. Any unwanted contact between two people that directly or indirectly communicates a threat or places a person in fear can be referred to as stalking. A stalker may be someone the victim knows well or not at all. About 75 percent of cases involve men stalking women, but men can stalk men and women can stalk men as well. Stalking behavior patterns are similar to those seen in many relationship violence situations. The pattern is usually triggered when the stalker's advances toward a victim is frustrated, whether the stalker is seeking to establish a personal relationship or continue a previously established relationship that is not wanted by the victim. For more information on stalking, go to http://www.ncvc.org/src.
Where to Get Help
The University, in coordination with community-based agencies, provides comprehensive crisis response, medical treatment, and ongoing counseling and support for persons experiencing relationship violence. Syracuse University seeks to ensure that appropriate services are made available to students experiencing relationship violence and/or stalking, and that these services are explained clearly and compassionately. Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and Division of Student Affairs professional staff members are "for emergencies and are authorized and trained to coordinate the response to a report of stalking or relationship violence." The decision to seek medical care or report an incident lies with the person who has experienced stalking or relationship violence.
REPORTING OPTIONS AND SERVICES
There are many resources on campus for students who are experiencing relationship violence. Confidential resources for students include, but are not limited to, the Counseling Center, Health Services, the Goldberg Couple and Family Therapy Program, Hendricks Chapel, and Vera House (off campus). These confidential resources can assist a student in deciding among reporting options and services.
Reporting options and resources include the following: Department of Public Safety, 005 Sims Hall, 443-2224
Emergency: dial 711 from campus phone.
DPS is the primary contact for students who have concerns related to relationship violence or stalking. A member of the DPS Sensitive Crime Unit (SCU) will assist students with law enforcement officials, the criminal justice system, University resources, and community victim advocacy groups (e.g., Vera House). If the incident involves physical injury, a fleeing offender, or other highly disruptive circumstances, DPS should be contacted immediately. From a campus phone you may dial the DPS emergency telephone number, 711.
The Sensitive Crime Unit will facilitate follow-up procedures and arrange for ongoing student support. This support will include, but will not be limited to the following: facilitating notification of the student's school or college of any need to be absent from class; facilitating the student's participation in the criminal justice system; and, coordinating any other resources required to promote the student's continued enrollment at the University, in collaboration with appropriate units in the Division of Student Affairs.
Counseling Center, 200 Walnut Place, 443-4715
The Counseling Center hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until 4:30 p.m. during summers).
There is a counselor on-call evenings and weekends; for emergencies after business hours, call the Counseling Center at 443-4715 and press "0."
Judicial Affairs, 310 Steele Hall, 443-3728
The Office of Judicial Affairs (OJA) provides assistance with criminal prosecution to students experiencing relationship violence or stalking. If the abuser is a student, OJA also offers assistance in taking action through the University Judicial System.
Vera House is a community resource that provides shelter and support for those experiencing relationship violence. The mission of Vera House is to end all domestic and sexual violence, to assist families in crisis, to support those affected by domestic and sexual violence to live safe, self-sufficient lives, to empower women and children, and to promote a culture of equality and respect in relationships.
Syracuse Police Department, 511 S. State Street, 911
Onondaga County Sheriff's Department,
407 S. State Street, 911
A police officer at the scene of a domestic incident may intervene to provide immediate safety for the victim and other members of the household, and may direct victims to other resources. A police offer at the scene of a domestic incident is mandated to complete a police report and to distribute a victim's rights notice, whether or not an arrest is made. Under New York State law, an officer is required to make an arrest when certain offenses occur between family
members. Both the Syracuse Police Department and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department use a definition of "family" that is broader than female-male marital relationships.
RESOURCES
On-Campus Resources
Counseling Center 443-4715
Employee Assistance Program 443-1087
Goldberg Couple and Family Therapy Center 443-3023
Health Services 443-2666
Hendricks Chapel, Pastoral Counseling 443-5044
Judicial Affairs 443-3728
LGBT Resource Center 443-3983
Psychological Services Center 443-3595
Public Safety 443-2224
University R.A.P.E. Center 443-7273
SU Directory/Information 443-1870
Off-Campus Resources
Onondaga County Sheriff 's Department, 407 S. State Street, 911
Rape Crisis Center of Syracuse Inc. 422-7273
Syracuse Police Department, 511 South State Street, 911
Vera House, www.verahouse.org, 468-3260
New York State Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-942-6906
National Center for Victims of Crime 1-800-FYI-CALL
www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx
Counseling Center
200 Walnut Place
Syracuse, NY 13244
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