Has anyone suffered abuse while at university/college?

Hey there! I am not in college yet, but I've heard it may be a smart idea to meet with a guidance councelor or campus conceling center and let them know of the incidents, as that's not okay to be abused at school (or anywhere)! thehotline.org is also a great resource. On a side note, I've relocated your thread to a more suitable forum category - in the Domestic Abuse Support community! If you'd rather it be in the Student Support sub-community, I can re-locate it there instead as well. I hope things are able to be cleared up!

Although I was never in a physical altercation of some sort, I have been involved in a very unhealthy relationship that involved mental and verbal abuse. Several instances when we would argue he would get violent. Not to me, but things would be thrown, yelling and screaming, my room ended up usually becoming a mess by the end of the fight. So it is possible that this post wont totally help because I have never been in the same situtation as you. But either way I decided to write this because of my personal experience I felt that I couldnt read this post and not say anything.

After many fights and years of pain, it was christmas break and I wanted to stay away from my university so badly. I knew that if I went back to school there, I would fall into his trap, his manipulating mind, and I would end up giving him more chances. And it was very possible to me that I would have ended getting physically abused one day if I hadnt left. The best decesion I ever made was to not go back to that school. Sometimes leaving can be misunderstood as weak, because you are walking away from your problems, but I see it as if you can walk away from a problem, that makes you strong. You are able to recognize the issue and remove yourself from that negativity.

But really it is up to you. How will you feel seeing a profesiional if thats what you choose to do? Will you be able to walk happily across campus, and be able to look at several reminders of negative times as good or bad things? I know for myself if I went back to that school, I would look at everything in disgust, so I choose not to go back. However for others they are able to face past problems with a positive outlook that they are proud they were able to over come.

Y Dear Rose, Of course you r frightened and nervous to go back to school. First, I would find a womens domestic abuse organization and meet with a counselor. I used to work at one on Long Island. Did you live with your abuser on campus.or off campus? Is there a record of the abuse? {Police report} I don't know where you liive but I lived in bad neighborhoods in Brooklyn NY with other creative types, I always carried a pepper spray to protect myself. r U still in a relationship with your abuser? or isit over? I think you should definitely find a organization for battered women. I imagine it would be very difficult to do well in your studies with your abuser sitting in the same room. But if you decide to stay in the same university withyour abuser, I would let the university know what your abuser has done in the past to you. Let them be aware that you were abused by this man/woman. If you can swing it financially, it might be better for you to start new somplace else.,

But look at your backgrounbd. I was very emotionally and physically abused as a child. And I constantly picked abusive people to be involved with romantically. .

I thought I had found my true soul mate for life, we were together for 30 years, owned a house. My partner was diagnosed by four psycharists as bi-polar but would not take the medication. I hung in there for 5 years but it was total emotional and verbal abuse and manic behavior. So here I am at 63 years, kicked to the curb and having to start all over again. My partner wanted out so I lost everything.

But you put yoursels as Number one and take steps to protect yourself. Find a good domestic violence center for women and go to talk to them about the best path for you. Good luck Rose. Ashley