Courier

Media Credit: Elizabeth Piedra Hugo Schwyzer, who teaches a course in woment's history, says young women are often reluctant to report relationship abuse.

Like most college seniors on the cusp of graduation, Hilary's thoughts are everywhere, a clutter of graduation announcements, commencement concerns, post-bachelor's degree plans and excuses for such a rambling state-of-mind.

After transferring to UCLA from PCC two years ago, the 22-year-old women's studies/English double major is receiving a degree in the traditional four years, a seemingly impossible task in this age of extended collegiate stays. She is the kind of student community college presidents and local politicians count on when they tout junior colleges as a catapult to higher education and the lifeblood of our economy.

She is not, however, the face we have come to associate with dating abuse.

"You can't tell just by looking at someone whether or not she has or will experience abuse. There is absolutely no profile of a victim. I'm white, I'm college-educated. I was warned to get my keys out when walking to my car late at night, that 'boys will be boys,' and that I better take care of myself.

"And yet, I was still assaulted - sure, there weren't any noticeable bruises, no blood or scratches or phone calls to 911. [But] abuse is abuse is abuse and a victim is a victim," Hilary said.

Hilary's resolute on speaking out about her experiences because she knows she's not alone.

According to a 2008 report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adolescents report experiencing dating abuse each year. Dating abuse includes physical violence, such as pushing and hitting; the emotional abuse of isolating a girlfriend or boyfriend from their loved ones and obsessive behavior; and the sexual violence of rape, sexual coercion or pressure.

A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in the same year showed that 44 percent of college graduates reported having experienced some form of dating abuse before or during college. Of that figure, sexual abuse accounted for 16 percent.

Gail Ellis, a registered psychologist at PCC's psychological services said that many students who come in don't immediately recognize the slaps and name-calling that constitute teen dating abuse as unacceptable behavior.

Continued...

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