Violence at Home on Campus (From Violence on Campus: Defining the Problems, Strategies for Action, P 111-122, 1998, Allan M. Hoffman, John H. Schuh, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-186198)

• NCJ Number: 186205
• Author(s): Carolyn J. Palmer
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Aspen Publishers, Inc.
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses why violence occurs in college campus residences, special problems in campus family housing and fraternity and sorority housing, the most serious and most common forms of violence, addressing the nonreporting of violent crimes, and violence-reduction measures.

Abstract

In discussing why violence occurs in campus residences, the author considers the role of alcohol and other drugs, the challenges of living in "concentrated proximity" with others, the acceptance of violence as a conflict-resolution strategy, and transitions from homogeneous to diverse communities. Special problems in family housing for students encompass the issue of domestic violence, and violence in fraternity and sorority housing is often associated with the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Concerns regarding increasing access to weapons in American society and on campuses are particularly acute in residential facilities, in part because students who have weapons or objects they might use as weapons are most likely to keep them where they live. Because of the reluctance by victims, witnesses, student staff, and others to report relationship violence, housing officers, police officers, judicial officers, counselors, health care professionals, senior administrators, and others are not able to identify and then assist those involved. One section of this chapter discusses reasons for such nonreporting of violent incidents, as well as strategies for encouraging rather than forcing reporting. Because colleges and universities vary greatly in terms of their institutional missions, housing systems, student populations, etc., no single strategy or set of strategies for addressing violence in student residences will be effective at all institutions. Rather, each institution is encouraged to involve students, staff, faculty and others in assessing needs, establishing goals, and developing a comprehensive plan to address violence in various types of campus residences. 20 references