Domestic Violence: An issue for students?

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

You will probably be seeing quite a lot in the media over the next coming days over the topic of domestic violence. For example just this morning the government announced the news that schools will be teaching 5 year olds and upwards about gender equality and violence at home. Not too surprisingly this has been met by a backlash from angry parents terrified that their little angels are about to be traumatised at school. However those implementing the policy assure us that children will actually be taught about mutual respect and the unacceptable nature of violence. Personally I feel that talking about domestic violence and it's consequences in the classroom can only be a good thing.

In addition to all this the NUS national Women's Officer has just rolled out a survey on women's experiences of domestic violence at University and College. I would encourage as many students as possible to take the survey even if you aren't sure that it is relevant to you.

Which leads me to my main point, whilst talking about the survey amongst friends and colleagues I was shocked by the responses from one or two people. A number of students felt that yes domestic violence was a serious issue but as students it simply doesn't affect us. I have to say in my time as an officer I've heard a few shockers but this one left me utterly flabbergasted.

However, it didn't take long for me to realise that this view isn't all that uncommon. Namely the assumption that students aren't capable of domestic violence, are they? surely not?

It's then that it became apparent to me that domestic violence is still considered to be something that happens to others, not to people 'like us'. The image of the battered housewife huddled in the kitchen is so ingrained in every one's mind that it's difficult to imagine that the girl sitting next to you in the I.C is just as likely to be a victim. Unfortunately figures show that the under 25s are just as likely to become a victim of serious domestic violence than any other age group.

It gets worse, a survey carried out by Bliss magazine (aimed at 11-17 year olds) found that 1 in 5 of their readers had been the victim of violence from someone they were dating. This survey was exactly the wake up call we needed to realise that domestic violence is affecting the younger generation.

We are slowly starting to realise that domestic violence takes many forms and can appear anywhere, even in our happy Sheffield student bubble. The more we accept that domestic violence does exist in the rich and poor, young an old, the easier it becomes for those people affected to seek help.

If you have been affected by domestic violence please call the National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit http://www.nationaldoemsticviolencehelpline.org.uk/.

Alternatively send me an email at womens.officer@sheffield.ac.uk and I can give you advice and information on where you can find help. You wouldn't be the first and unfortunately won't be the last.