A startling number of high school and college students - both female and male -- are being battered, sexually abused or stalked by their dates, according to a Kansas State University professor.
"Approximately 30 percent of college students have been in relationships that involve physical aggression. Even more have been in relationships that are emotionally abusive," said Sandra Stith, director of the marriage and family therapy program at K-State and a nationally recognized expert in domestic violence.
Likewise, approximately 25 percent of high school students who are in relationships are subjected to abuse, according to Stith.
Why?
Research points to many complex triggers, said Stith, who also is a pioneer in couples treatment for domestic violence.
Stress and the inability to control anger are common ones. Another is the intensity of the relationship. Stith said studies show that the more serious the liaison, the more likely it is to be violent.
Too many students think they don't deserve better treatment, she said.
Some think hitting and abusive language are acceptable. "It is never OK to be emotionally abusive or physically violent," Stith said. "We need to send a clear message that abuse in any form is not normal, not acceptable and not OK."
Research clearly indicates that both male and female students are victims of physical and emotional abuse. "We cannot minimize violence against women," she said. "Male violence is more likely to cause serious injury and death."
However, just like female victims, male victims often accept blame for the abuse, saying things like "it's my fault because I am not listening to her," Stith said.
She said abuse in young relationships takes other forms: attempting to control the partner's behavior, extreme jealousy, constant belittling and trying to frighten a partner with activities such as driving recklessly.
Stith lists several red flags that indicate abuse or potential violence: