College women show highest rate for intimate partner violence

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC), women between the ages of 16 and 24 have the highest rate for intimate partner violence per capita.

Even though 21 percent of college students reported dating violence by their current partner and 32 percent from a previous partner, 70 percent of young victims aren’t aware that they have been abused.

According to HAWC, the reason behind the low number of reports is because of the closed, intersecting social networks of a college campus that make students feel trapped.

Abuse Victims also resist reporting their experiences because they are afraid that their parents will find out, their abuser will stalk them, or their administrators will not fully understand the issue.

The Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons contact numbers are 803-641-4162 and 803-649-0480 and the Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.