Local women battle domestic violence

By FRED CICHON
Collegian Staff Writer

Because domestic violence usually goes unreported, it is difficult to determine just how common it is in Centre County.

Domestic violence is not a crime in itself, said Sgt. John Wilson of the State College Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit, but is a term that simply categorizes crimes committed within a dating, casual or intimate relationship. Examples of such crimes include terroristic threats, simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, stalking, extortion and attempted murder.

"It is not uncommon at all during an eight-hour patrol shift to respond to two to three domestic violence calls per shift," Wilson said. "Domestic violence occurs 24 hours a day, but the most common time for us to respond to in-progress domestic violence calls is in the evening and early morning."

One-half to three-fourths of college women experience some form of sexual aggression in dating relationships, according to a pamphlet from the Office of Student Affairs.

In 1997, nearly 1,300 women and children sought services from the Centre County Women's Resource Center, 140 W. Nittany Ave. Only half of those victims came from State College. And, according to a pamphlet from the center, a woman or child dies because of domestic violence every three days in Pennsylvania.

Erin Sullivan, education and training coordinator at the center, said domestic violence is "a pattern of controlling behaviors where a person will use several different tactics to maintain control of another person," which can come in the form of emotional, verbal, physical and sexual abuse.

The center, which helped 236 people file protection from abuse orders last year, usually sees relationships in the beginning stages of domestic violence.

"A lot of that stuff is a precursor to any physical and sexual violence," Sullivan said. "Domestic violence has no boundaries. We really see it in all socioeconomic classes, religions, races and cultures. It crosses all borders."

While it is difficult to spot potential batterers, Pamela Gerber, victim/witness advocate for Penn State's Department of University Safety, said there are noticeable behavioral patterns.

"The offender typically has poor impulse control, ego needs and a macho orientation," she said.

The hallmark of the offender's behavior is a lack of responsibility and accountability for actions.

"The victim," Gerber said, "takes the blame for the offender's actions, thinking only they understand and can help their partner." This is the problem, Gerber said, because students sometimes don't realize that what is happening to them is against the law.

• Services available for abuse victims