The term “abusive relationship” often conjures up images of black eyes, split lips and unexplained bruises. However, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, such limited definitions leave out a whole section of abuse: reproductive and sexual coercion.
At a glance
The red flags of intimate partner violence ? Constantly being the butt of sexual insults and jokes ? Unwanted touching or forced physical contact ? Birth control sabotage; includes disappearance of birth control pills or tampering with condoms Resources On-campus UO Crisis Line: (541) 346-4488 Off-campus Sexual Assault Support Service Crisis Line: (541) 343-SASS |
In a study conducted for the FVPF, nearly one in five college-aged women reported having experienced forced intercourse during a relationship. In some cases, partners assert their power by prohibiting or sabotaging a woman’s use of contraceptives. In such instances, women are unable to protect themselves against unplanned pregnancies, HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
Rebecca Sprinson of the ASUO Women’s Center works to spread information about this often overlooked section of abuse. As the organization’s sexual violence prevention and education coordinator , Sprinson sometimes works with women who come in to report abuse.
“The Women’s Center serves as a safe space for anyone to come in and access our resources and referral services,” Sprinson said in an e-mail.
The Women’s Center provides Anonymous Report Forms, phone numbers and information about campus and community services such as Womenspace and Sexual Assault Support Services for victims of sexual abuse.
SASS of Lane County offers a 24-hour crisis line and advocates for all survivors of sexual abuse and assault. However, as reported by the Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force, fewer than 5 percent of college women report their assault to law enforcement agencies.
“A huge number of our services go toward working with students from the University,” said Wendy Maurer, a SASS advocate. “The numbers we have concerning relationship abuse are remarkably high, but as most people don’t talk about it, I’m sure the statistics are actually much higher.”
SASS works with the Women’s Center to encourage discussion on campus about intimate partner violence. Such measures are also being undertaken by FVPF, which recently launched the kNOw More initiative. The group is designed to spread education about birth control sabotage and sexual coercion, according to a Sept. 9 press release. Above all else, Maurer wants students to know that there are options.
“If you want to leave, and in some cases people don’t, there are options that can allow your partner to never even know you’re seeking help,” Maurer said. “The University is unique in that the campus is high-risk and there are a wide variety of resources for students to use.”
Sprinson of the Women’s Center suggests placing a higher value on healthy communication within a relationship.
“Using power dynamics to get what you want from a partner is completely unacceptable,” Sprinson said. “It doesn’t matter what gender you are, what kind of relationship you are in; healthy and happy relationships are about making decisions together and respecting other people’s decisions.”