Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Tips and Resources You Should Know
By: Amanda Farlow
At Radford University, the SAVES office provides a safe space for students who may be experiencing domestic violence. SAVES stands for Substance and Violence Education Support. They provide free, confidential, short-term counseling services for enrolled students here on campus who experience domestic, dating, or sexual violence.
Students can reach their office anytime Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, by either visiting in person, emailing, or calling. Their office is located at the bottom of Davis Hall in room 008. They can also be reached at 540-831-5709, or saves@radford.edu.
SAVES staff are not available to provide advocacy services off campus or outside of their business hours. If you are in imminent danger, call 911.
If you are seeking advocacy services outside of their business hours, contact the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley at 540-639-1123, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. Advocates are available through this hotline 24/7.
Domestic violence is defined by the Department of Justice as ‘a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain/maintain power and control over another.’ Domestic violence takes many forms – physical, emotional, economic, psychological, and even digital. Any threat of action or coercive behavior that influences another person’s behavior is considered abuse. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, or injure someone.
If you think you may be a victim of domestic violence, you can reach out to SAVES to schedule an appointment for confidential counseling services – at no cost. If your needs are beyond the scope of practice for counseling within saves, a staff member can give you a referral for other services. Students who make an appointment are typically seen on the same day or within 48 hours as requested. SAVES also offers advocacy services, which includes, but is not limited to topics such as crisis intervention, absence notification for your professors or other staff members, referrals to counseling, and reporting criminal behavior.
If you think a friend, a loved one, or someone you know might be involved in an abusive relationship, it’s important to recognize the signs of domestic violence. Domestic violence can happen to anyone at any time. Domestic violence can include the threat or follow-through of physical violence, being forced into unwanted situations or actions, and limiting or cutting off relationships. If you recognize one sign, it’s very possible that there may be more hidden behind closed doors. Approach with non-judgemental language and open arms and offer a safe space for them to go to. Someone may be in danger and not able to discuss their situation, so it’s important not to potentially compromise their safety. Let them know that help is available and be someone they can go to.
