Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse

Physical and sexual violence does not discriminate, and it can affect students, faculty, and staff right here within the Drexel University community. While violence can present itself in the form of an attack by a stranger, most acts of violence are committed by people we know and all too often by those who are closest to us. It is important to learn the warning signs of relationship abuse so that you can recognize situations and relationships that may have become physically or psychologically dangerous to yourself and others. On this page you will find a number of warning signs of relationship abuse that you should be aware of. While it is vital to be cognizant of these signs, it is most important to realize that violence is not your fault, and that you are not alone.

If you are unsure if you are in an abusive relationship, and would like to talk to someone about your experience, you can call the Drexel University Counseling Center at 215.895.1415 or after hours at 215.416.3337. You can also call the confidential Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.866.723.3014. In addition, you can contact EIC for more information.

To see more warning signs of relationship abuse in action, check out #thatsnotlove to see depictions of the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.   

The One Love Foundation teaches to be on the lookout for these 8 warning signs:

If you see three or more of these warning signs in your relationship or a friend’s, don’t be afraid to speak up and say #thatsnotlove.

PREVENTION TIPS

Survivors are never at fault for the abuse they endure. However, there are behaviors that aid in risk reduction and increase safety. The best way to prevent violence is to stop it before it starts, if possible. Creating boundaries and clear communication are the best measures for preventing abuse.

CYCLE OF ABUSE

The cycle of abuse diagram provides a visual to explain the stages that usually occur during an abusive relationship. The phases represent what happens before, during and after abuse takes place. Partners may go through the cycle of abuse countless times throughout a relationship. The stages are marked by the presence or lack of abuse, breakdown in communication, the abuser’s anger and the victim’s response. 

Although abuse is typically not constant throughout a relationship, the honeymoon phase and tension building phase usually shorten over time, thereby increasing the frequency of abusive episodes. The cycle will not stop unless the victim chooses to end the relationship or there is an intervention. See the resources list at the bottom of the page if you need help ending an abusive relationship.

CYCLE OF ABUSE – The Intersection of Communication, Abuse, and Response

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DREXEL RESOURCES

All Drexel University Community members are encouraged to report incidents that may violate the sexual harassment and sexual misconduct policy. Through reporting, there are opportunities to file a complaint, receive free referrals, and/or be provided with accommodations.  Even if members of the Drexel community decide not to pursue a criminal or Drexel internal conduct complaint, resources are still available to provide support and to mitigate the impact of an incident.

For more information about Drexel resources, visit: the Title IX resources page.

LOCAL RESOURCES

NATIONAL RESOURCES

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References