PUBLICATIONS Inside Illinois Vol. 20, No. 10, Nov. 16, 2000

Domestic violence common, but underreported

Becky Mabry , Assistant Editor
(217) 244-1072; mabry@illinois.edu

Photo by Bill Wiegand Domestic discord Viki Hawley, (left) an investigator, and Joan Fiesta, a corporal, are just two members of the UI's police department who often encounter victims of domestic violence. one in three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

The scene isn’t that uncommon. A couple has an argument. The female tries to walk away, but the guy grabs her arm to stop her.

Just a few weeks ago a UI student found herself in that situation with her 22-year-old boyfriend who was visiting from Chicago. When she tried to walk way, he chased after her on the sidewalk and then ran in front of her to block her. He called her names and grabbed her arm.

He reached into her purse and got her keys, and then threw them at her. He picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her behind a nearby building.

Fortunately, a stranger walking his dog asked the woman if she needed help. The woman’s boyfriend put her down and she was able to run to the safety of her residence hall.

Once there, she called the police, as she should have. She had been the victim of domestic violence.

Her boyfriend was arrested for domestic battery and unlawful restraint. The two were ordered by the court not to have contact with each other for 72 hours. She was given information about how to get an order of protection to keep him away. And she learned about the safe house on campus for domestic violence victims. She also learned of other resources where she could get guidance and counseling if she wanted.

"Domestic violence is a pervasive thing and it’s hidden," said Cpl. Joan Fiesta of the UI Police Department. One in three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

"A lot of it goes on, but I don’t think people recognize it as domestic violence."

It is very much underreported, just like rape, according to Viki Hawley, an investigator with the UI police. It can happen in marriages and in relationships of all kinds, including same-sex relationships and between roommates in residence halls.

Police estimate that violence occurs in approximately one out of four dating relationships on campus.

"A lot of times people don’t know it’s going on, or they’re afraid of getting the (abuser) in trouble," Hawley said. "I had a telephone call from someone who said ‘I suspect that domestic violence is going on, but I don’t want to make false accusations.’ I say, when in doubt, report it.

"The victim can turn down the offer of help and deny that anything is going on," Hawley said. "But at least she knows that there is help out there and that people are watching out for her – or him."

In dating relationships, abuse can occur when one person in the relationship begins hurling insults or calling the other names. Warning signs are yelling, threats and acts meant to purposely humiliate the other in public. There also can be isolation of a partner from family or friends, or threats to "out" a same-sex partner.

Physical abuse includes hitting, punching, shoving, restraining, destroying property and choking. Abusive sexual behavior is rape and any coercion or forcing of a partner to engage in sexual activity.

Dating violence is recognized as a crime under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and is also a violation of the Student Conduct Code.

A recent state law takes the onus of pressing charges off the victim by requiring that police make an arrest if there is clear aggression. That tells the aggressor that it is not the victim who is responsible for the charges, it is the state.

"A lot of times in the past victims wouldn’t want to press charges because they feared repercussions," Hawley said. "But if you put the responsibility on the state, it helps."

Fiesta said she’s seen domestic violence in all forms, from shouting matches to full-blown fights.

"Sometimes when the victim comes in for photos they are bruised up and down their bodies," Fiesta said. "It’s terrible. And it’s a cycle.

"You hear a lot from the victim – ‘my partner was very charming.’ ‘I never knew.’ It just follows. Maybe a battle will happen and the next day, flowers come. There’s a period of forgiveness and then a honeymoon period and then it falls back into that cycle of violence. And it just keeps getting worse and worse."

And each time the violence happens, the degree of violence tends to escalate and the chances of it being lethal increase, Hawley said.

"They start out by pushing or shoving, and then it increases from there," Hawley said. "A lot of times it will take a victim seven to nine times to leave an abusive relationship."

A whole range of crimes are associated with domestic violence. In fact officers often respond to reports that seem unrelated to domestic violence – such as damage to a car – and find out when they get there that it is a domestic violence situation. Related crimes are criminal damage to property, violation of orders of protection, telephone line interference, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, harassment by telephones, stalking and criminal sexual assault.

"And there can be forced financial exploitation – especially of an elderly or disabled person," Hawley said. "There can be criminal trespass to property. You come home from work and this person is sitting on your front porch."

The university does have a safe house on campus for victims. (Call 333-5626 for information). It offers a temporary haven for victims where their abusers are not going to find them. It also allows them time to make arrangements, such as finding a new apartment or room in a residence hall.

"We also provide police standbys," Fiesta said, "where we will have officers go with the victim to get items from their home."

"That’s one of the obligations we have, to see that the victim gets to a place where he or she will be safe and with their things," she said.

There also are support groups on campus for victims of domestic violence. There is a coalition known as the Dating-Domestic Abuse Project that focuses on victim safety, offender accountability, and public awareness and education. That number is 333-3137.

A Woman’s Place in Urbana (384-4390) also offers shelter, help with orders of protection and other services to victims of domestic violence and their children.

Counselors also are available through the Faculty-Staff Assistance Program at 244-5312. Students also can get help from the McKinley Health Center, 333-2700, and the Counseling Center, 333-3704.

Every university police officer has received training in handling domestic violence situations. They learn that one of the things to tell the victim is, "You don’t deserve to be hurt."

Hawley said the potential for violence to escalate in these relationships scares her.

It also affects those in the households who are not being hit, such as children.

"It has a lot of victims, not just the ones being beaten," Hawley said. "I think it’s really important that victims and their children get counseling to help them through it."

Fiesta emphasized that people should not be afraid to become involved in the reporting of domestic violence.

"If there’s any suspicion, it’s OK that we investigate it," Fiesta said. "You never know. You might be helping somebody and you could make a huge difference in somebody’s life by getting involved. And if you’re in a domestic relationship, don’t be ashamed to call. We have a lot of programs on campus here to help."

People with questions are encouraged to call the police just to talk, Hawley said.

"Our officers are more than willing to talk and give advice and assistance and offer resources," she said. "We want to do whatever we can to help."