NCJ Number
141416
Journal
Journal of College Student Personnel Dated: (May 1985) Pages: 201- 204
Date Published
1985
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Using responses from a survey of college housing system directors, counseling center directors, and students, the general problem of courtship violence among college students is discussed.
Abstract
Directors of housing systems reported knowledge of courtship violence; 73 percent of the directors indicated it was the primary responsibility of residence hall staff and security personnel to handle incidents. The incidence of violence decreased with the severity of the behavior. Counseling center staff had similar responses, noting that incidents did occur, but again, that the incidence of violence decreased with severity. While most communities had a spouse abuse shelter, only 44 percent of the counselors indicated the shelters were used by students who experienced violence. Over 60 percent of the student respondents had personal knowledge of another student involved in an incident of courtship violence; threats, pushing, and slapping were much more common than more extreme types of violence. While only 17 percent of victims had been drinking at the time of the incident, nearly half the perpetrators had been drinking. The authors recommend making information available to all faculty and staff concerning courtship violence, conducting surveys on campuses, establishing liaison with community shelters, and undertaking educational campaigns to combat courtship violence. 1 table and 7 references