October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the ASUO Men’s and Women’s Centers are putting forth efforts to promote the awareness message on campus.
The purple ribbon campaign, responsible for the purple ribbon pins that are going around campus in support of victims of domestic and dating violence, is usually managed by the Women’s Center, but has changed hands this year. The Men’s Center is distributing the purple ribbon pins this month to raise awareness during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“It’s an unspoken problem at the U of O campus,” said Men’s Center director Brian Jacoby.
So far this year, seven cases of domestic dispute have been reported to the Eugene Police Department. Additionally, there have been 42 cases of physical harassment reported, and 27 cases of harassment reported. The EPD also received reports for one case of rape, and two cases of sexual abuse. 
According to the Department of Justice, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and 20- to 24-year-olds are at the greatest risk of intimate partner violence.
At the University, two cases of domestic violence were reported to DPS in 2008, and one case has been reported this year.
However, cases can be reported to several places on campus, so not all incidents are reported to DPS directly. These incidents usually happen at off-campus locations, not in the residence halls, said DPS officials.
Theya McCown, the domestic violence council coordinator from Womenspace, said 85 to 95 percent of domestic abuse victims are women, but Jacoby said the Men’s Center is working to provide a “male perspective” on the issue.
“A high percentage of domestic violence on campus is performed by men, so we are trying to be a positive representation for men on campus,” said Wes Dodds, an intern at the Men’s Center.
The Men’s Center has worked with fraternities at the University and is planning to speak with various campus organizations about the campaign throughout the month.
In student settings like college campuses, domestic violence is commonly referred to as intimate partner violence because fewer cases occur between couples that are cohabiting or married, McCown said.
Domestic violence is defined as one person using coercion and manipulation to take complete control of his or her partner’s life. McCown explained that it can occur in several forms including emotional, verbal, physical, spiritual, economic and sexual abuse. Dating violence stems from partners who are jealous, controlling and abusive, even if it is in a non-physical way.
Erin McGladrey, ASUO Women’s Center office coordinator, said abusers often isolate their partner from his or her friends and family, blame others for personal problems, and use excessive drinking as an excuse for violent behavior. Other behavior includes explosive anger, pressuring a partner to have sex, or touching a partner inappropriately in public.
According to the Department of Public Safety’s annual safety report, eight reported forcible sex offenses occurred on the University campus in 2008, doubling the number reported in 2006. While these numbers represent the more severe cases of domestic violence, a number of students are suffering from other types of intimate partner violence.
Even texting can become a control issue between couples because the victim is “expected to be available at all times,” McCown said. Abusers harass their partners with demanding text messages and expect an immediate response to questions like where their partner is or who he or she is with. When the response doesn’t come quickly enough, the abuser can become angry and hurtful to the victim.
“Skilled abusers have compete control over their partner’s lives,” McCown said.        
The Women’s Center is now participating in Domestic Violence Awareness Month through its toiletry drive.
Students are encouraged to donate full-sized, unopened toiletries that will be delivered to local domestic violence services center, Womenspace, at the end of the month. Bath and body products can be dropped off at one of the several collection boxes located around campus, including the Student Recreation Center, the University Health Center, and the ASUO Women’s Center.
“That support is really essential,” McCown said of the toiletry drive.
Womenspace also organizes several events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including a community gathering and board meeting on Oct. 21, and the Every Home A Safe Home campaign on Oct. 30.
While their ultimate goal is to “empower women and end domestic violence,” Womenspace is hoping to “let the community know that domestic violence is everyone’s issue,” McCown said. “The more educated we are, the more likely we are to stand up to and say ‘no, this is not happening here.’”
The ASUO Men’s and Women’s Centers are just a couple of the resources available to University students who are dealing with domestic violence issues or seeking advice for a friend. Students are also encouraged to visit the Student Conduct and Community Standards office located in Oregon Hall, where they can report issues involving University students. The Student Conduct office often helps set up students with an advocate who offers an unbiased support system for victims.
Students who visit these help centers are often referred to the University Counseling and
Testing Center.
Additionally, students are encouraged to report crime-related incidents, like rape, to the Department of Public Safety, which typically passes the cases onto police.
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