Silent problem

Domestic violence must not fall out of public eye

Too often, significant social problems lose the attention paid to them as they fade from the nation's headlines - domestic violence is a good example of this type of problem. Since the tragic death of University student Tamara Williams last September, the issue that affects many women on a daily basis has in many ways faded from the limelight. Recent events in the news have changed this trend by putting domestic violence back into the national consciousness. When Columbia University students returned from spring break two weeks ago, they faced the death of fellow student Hyeseung Lynda Hong, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend. The gruesome details of these types of situations show that domestic violence issues need to be addressed. The problem then becomes how to go about preventing such monstrous acts of violence.

First, people need to acknowledge that domestic violence as serious a crime as homicide, theft, sexual molestation and other crimes society perceives as violations of the law rather than as something that goes on behind closed doors. As a result, people may recognize its prevalence in society and be better equipped to handle it. Second, domestic violence needs to be discussed and dealt with more often than when a tragic event brings it to the forefront. People need to be aware of this crime, which often goes unnoticed because it occurs in private. If people are cognizant of the problem, then they can help identify friends and family members who are in abusive relationships and provide them with guidance and emotional support.

The University has taken significant steps to bring this issue to the forefront of people's minds and create greater on-campus awareness. After Williams' death, the issue received tremendous attention on campus, culminating with an emotional candlelight vigil on the Diag. Recently, the Speaker Initiative program and the LSA student government sponsored a Greek Week event on domestic violence. The panel discussion was led by Rita Smith, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Productive discussions like the one held at Rackham Auditorium last week increase the University's commitment to preventing domestic violence by creating an aware student body.

The momentum created by recent events should not be lost, as it too often has in the past. This societal problem will continue as long as people think of domestic violence as something that erupts once every six months and not something that many people have to deal with on a daily basis. Campus organizations devoted to the cause, like the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, need to take a more visible role throughout the year in fostering increased awareness on campus. Many students still do not know how to contact such organizations or be aware of the programs and services they offer. While large discussions, like the one at Rackham, are great, they only occur when a popular speaker is in town. During the lag time between large events, smaller discussions where many people can voice their opinions and concerns would benefit the University community. Finally, the domestic violence discussion must branch out to include different forms of abuse that occur between heterosexual couples and homosexual couples. Since domestic violence often occurs out of the public eye, the only solution is increased awareness and discussion. Just because average citizens do not see or hear about it on a daily basis does not mean that it is not a constant problem.

03-30-98