| Domestic violence is best known before it comes | | | | QUESTION 5: In some cases, the victim goes back |
| knocking at your door. As a public service, College | | | | to the abuser over-and-over again. It is reported that |
| World Reporter Donell Edwards interviews domestic | | | | Rihanna and Chris Brown have reunited. Why is it that |
| abuse consulting expert Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D. to help | | | | the victim in many cases will return to the abuser, |
| educate young college women about domestic | | | | with the knowledge that the physical abuse will most |
| violence. | | | | likely continue? Do they feel in some way responsible |
| QUESTION 1: In recent weeks, the alleged attack of | | | | for the physical abuse, do they blame themselves, or |
| popular recording artist Rihanna, by her boyfriend and | | | | just why is it that they keep going back and are |
| fellow recording artist Chris Brown, has focused | | | | willing to remain in an abusive relationship indefinitely? |
| attention on domestic violence. Many of our readers | | | | Dr. King: It is estimated that battered women will |
| are college students and young adults. Please explain | | | | return to their abusers seven times before finally |
| for them the magnitude of this problem, in regard to | | | | ending the abusive relationship. The back and forth is |
| how widespread it is. | | | | more common than not. As to why does she return, |
| Dr. King: One out of every three women will be | | | | it could be any combination of things: from lack of |
| assaulted by an intimate partner in her lifetime. | | | | resources; to unrealistic hopes, dreams, personal |
| Domestic abuse knows no boundaries. Battered | | | | expectations, perceived love...to a very realistic fear |
| women are black, white, yellow, rich, poor, educated, | | | | that things (the danger) will escalate upon her |
| uneducated, professional, unemployed. They | | | | departure. |
| represent all walks of life. | | | | QUESTION 6: Would you explain in detail, what the |
| QUESTION 2: Based on clinical studies, empirical data, | | | | many consequences of staying in an abusive |
| and other research, what are the causes of domestic | | | | relationship are? |
| abuse, and for the sake of this interview, we are | | | | Dr. King: The most serious is you could lose your life, |
| speaking specifically about men physically abusing | | | | your health and most defiantly your well-being, your |
| women? Is it the result of the abuser being abused | | | | sense of personal esteem, your liberties... It is a very |
| as a child? Is it the result of some mental disorder? | | | | self-destructive spiral that goes in one direction: It |
| Just what are the known causes? | | | | gets worse over time. |
| Dr. King: Causes are a mystery, or shall I say a topic | | | | QUESTION 7: If a young lady finds herself in an |
| of diverse theories. Some experts claim that | | | | abusive relationship, please explain the steps that she |
| battering is learned behavior; others will tell you it is a | | | | should take to protect herself, and get out of the |
| function of one's personality and predisposition. Then, | | | | relationship safely. |
| there are those who look to biochemical factors in | | | | Dr. King: It is always best to consult with an expert in |
| the brain that are associated with aggression. Most | | | | this area before taking action, as they will advise you |
| evidence, however, supports that battering is learned. | | | | of proper safety measures to take to prepare for |
| QUESTION 3: For our young female readers in | | | | and execute a safe departure. They will know of the |
| particular, as well as all of our female readers, are | | | | specifics to be mindful of in light of one's particular |
| there indicators or red flags to look for at the very | | | | situation. In general though, leaving an abusive |
| beginning, when considering having a relationship with | | | | relationship is best done quickly, quietly and as |
| a man? For someone who does not possess the | | | | completely as possible. |
| professional knowledge, are there certain personality | | | | QUESTION 8: What can those who are aware of the |
| types or personality traits or other characteristics, | | | | abuse do? Are we doing enough when we are aware |
| that an ordinary person would be able to identify that | | | | of someone being physically abused, and if not, why? |
| may signal trouble ahead, and what are they? | | | | And how can we overcome any trepidation that we |
| Dr. King: Yes, most definitely! There are numerous | | | | may feel, or feelings of indifference and not wanting |
| red flags that are clear warning signs of an abusive | | | | to get involved? |
| relationship. These signs are: controlling, manipulative | | | | Dr. King: There is much one can do if you suspect |
| behavior; excessive jealousy, possessiveness; lack of | | | | your friend or loved one is in an abusive relationship. |
| empathy; tendency to externalize blame and isolate | | | | First and foremost, one must suspend judgment in |
| one's partner from all sources of support beyond the | | | | their dealings with the domestic abuse survivor. |
| relationship. | | | | Secondly, help them see the subtle signs of abuse, |
| QUESTION 4: In addition to what we have previously | | | | not just the gross and more obvious, because |
| discussed, what are your recommendations for our | | | | acknowledging the subtle is very significant in |
| readers in regard to what they can and should do to | | | | recognizing and owning one's predicament. Most |
| avoid getting into an abusive relationship in the first | | | | importantly, help them find their inner voice. And if |
| place. Is there some step-by-step, easy to use guide | | | | you are not skilled at that, get them to a |
| that is effective? | | | | professional who is skilled in therapeutic |
| Dr. King: Prevention is the cure for domestic violence | | | | communications and domestic abuse. |
| and education is prevention. So our recommendation | | | | QUESTION 9: Where can those who are experiencing |
| is: know this syndrome before you become a part of | | | | abuse, especially young women on college campuses, |
| it. As once you do, it is far more difficult to "see the | | | | find help through hotlines, online sources, on their |
| forest for the trees." | | | | college campus, and organizations? |