Is your relationship based on equality?

 A Domestic Violence Awareness Conference was held on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 12pm in the Student Center room 231. Marisela Canamar, a Counselor for victims at Casa De Misericordia, came to share with Texas A&M International University students facts and warning signs of domestic violence and dating abuse.

According to Marisela Canamar, one in four women and one in thirteen men will at some point in their lifetime experience domestic violence or any other type of abuse; yet the number of victims may be higher due to cases that go unreported.   Casa de Misericordia defines domestic violence as violence or abuse between spouses, family members, or anyone living together in domestic settings. Dating abuse is abuse in relationships in which one partner strives to overpower and control the other. It is the most common type of abuse between teens and young adults.

Most often relationships may not start abusive, but as time passes the abusive partner becomes possessive, threatening, uses force, and can be violent. Dating abuse is not only physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, but also economic abuse. Partners may be controlling to the point of not allowing the other access to their own income and giving the other a budget or allowance for spending. Jealousy and possessiveness may lead the controlling partner to isolate the other.  The abusive partner decides whom they can and can't talk to, control their actions and limit interaction with others and the outside environment.  This abuse is mostly accompanied by intimidation and threats. Threats to hurt the other, threats to hurt him/her, or threats of leaving are all done in order to instill fear or over power the other.

The abuse and violence usually gets worse over time unless something is done to stop it. Local Shelters and community support are available for victims of abuse. Casa de Misericordia offers help and services to battered victims in order to meet their needs.  Casa Misericordia helps victims of abuse without any regards to sex, age, race, religion, sexual preference and national origin. Anybody needing aid is accepted, no one is turned away.  A 24-hour hotline is available for victims and the general public. Casa's mission is to empower and rehabilitate victims to a state of self-sufficiency.

Help also exists for students; all Texas A&M International University students have free access to counseling services.  TAMIU Student Counseling Services offers individual counseling, group sessions, academic workshops, faculty and staff referrals, and self help pamphlets on various topics.  Counselors assist students with stress management, anxiety, depression, adjusting to college life, and personal or educational concerns. Their goal is to help students with any concerns and problems in order to for students to excel and be at their best.

 For more information on counseling services or to make an appointment with a counselor students can visit TAMIU Student Counseling Services in the University Success Center room 138.  Information is also available at www.tamiu.edu/counseling .

(For information about this article you may contact Karla Olmos at karla.olmos@dusty.tamiu.edu)