Sexual assault and rape have been at the top of college news headlines for decades. Even this past year, IUPD alerted us to a number of on-and off-campus rapes that occurred. However, I can honestly say that I have never heard of even one case of domestic violence that has occurred here at IU, let alone at any college.
A Buzzfeed article helped reveal to me the scope of this issue and how rampant domestic violence is on all campuses, even here at IU.
This recent piece included an anecdote from our very own IU regarding Miriam Woods. Miriam realized that her boyfriend was abusive after a long period of physical and emotional aggression that culminated in him punching her in the arm and face.
She had already begun cutting herself and thinking about committing suicide. While she was able to obtain a protective order through the state courts, she felt unsafe being on the same campus as her abuser. A friend recommended she contact IU’s Title IX coordinator to make a formal complaint.
Title IX should hopefully sound familiar to anyone who has followed IU news for the past year, as IU was one of many colleges being investigated for Title IX compliance, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded schools, protecting victims of sexual and relational violence ?as well.
As you might have guessed, Miriam’s case did not fare well. While she won her case because she chose to appeal the decision in the hopes of a higher punishment for her abusive ex, she unknowingly suspended the previous decision, permitting him to attend ?graduation.
The issues involved with this case, as well as with domestic abuse in general, are incredibly complex, and I do not have the word count allotment to breach the subject more than I already have.
I can, however, try to raise awareness by using whatever public voice I have, especially this column. I obviously find any form of abuse abhorrent. What I find problematic is how our school has failed to address this issue, especially in light of the fact that sexual assault awareness flyers line every bathroom and hallway in the university.
So what can we as a student body and integral part of the city of Bloomington do to further protect those affected by violence? I believe that we must begin to advocate ceaselessly for further reform at all levels of jurisprudence to provide more resources to survivors. Training police to better handle abuse cases, as IUPD has in regard to sexual assault, may help more cases of domestic violence find justice.
While the issue of domestic violence on college campuses has been stunningly silent, I have been stunned by the personal stories that lie in that silence.
mccinkos@indiana.edu
