Students at Clarion University learned last week that domestic abuse doesn’t need to be physical.
The university’s Office of Social Equity and the Presidential Commission on Sexual Harassment hosted the third annual Domestic Violence and Abuse Awareness Day.
The event was started by Clarion alumna Alyssa Snyder, who is a victim of domestic abuse.
“Not even the best specialist in the world can fix those emotional scars,” said Trojack. “They are scarred for life.”
“Emotional abuse is what we see on the campus,” said Cpl. Shane White of Clarion University police. “I give the freshmen a talk every year about sexual violence. The biggest problem we see is social media and cell phones. The threats start through social media.
“Freshmen come here and leave a boy friend or girl friend back home,” he said. “They have been left behind so they try to control the one who is in college. They will want to know where they are at all of the time.
“Emotional abuse are about 98 percent of the problems we face,” said White. “Be aware it is here.”
There are warning signs friends or family can look for if they suspect abuse.
“Unfortunately when someone is in an abusive relationship they may not share with their family or friends,” said Trojack. “Often they are ashamed.”
Jodi Taylor of Jefferson County Community Action and Crossroads Project said friends and family may see changes in behavior if someone is being abused.
“Be their lifeline. Talk with them,” she said. “You may be their only way out of that situation.”
People often ask why the victim doesn’t leave the abusive relationship. “You don’t really know what they are going through,” said Trojack. “Sometimes it is not that easy to leave. You are dealing with someone’s emotions. It is a big stumbling block.
“They may have been threatened many times,” she said. “Over a period of time, with all the put-downs, it adds up. It is all about control.”
In the digital age the posting of inappropriate photos or videos to the Internet has created a new level of offenses. If the victim is under 17 years of age the offense comes under the states “sexting laws.”
If the victim is over 18 then the perpetrator can be prosecuted as an adult. White said he prosecuted a case at the university where the nude body of a young woman was posted “across the country.”
“That person was prosecuted as an adult,” he said.
Meredith Karg from the Clarion University Center for Wellness said students who come to her often do not understand that they have been victims.
“They will come to us and say their boyfriend is too controlling,” Karg said. “They will say he wants to know what I am doing or where I am going all of the time. As outsiders we can see what is going on but they can’t always see it. It is not physical but controlling. We will get them the help and support they need.”