BU alumna and Casa Myrna Vazquez Prevention and Education Specialist Amanda Wolfe spoke about the various forms of dating abuse at a discussion hosted by Chi Upsilon Sigma on Wednesday at the Women’s Resource Center in front an audience of about 10 members.

Chi Upsilon Sigma member Vanessa Guerrero and Wolfe said BU does too little to prevent domestic violence.’

Despite the classes on domestic violence at the School of Public Health, BU is lacking resources and a center devoted to the issue, Wolfe said.’

‘BU recently turned their face away from date rape and focused more on students drinking,’ Wolfe said.’ ‘They should implement resources for sexual assault, like an educational elective.’ There could be a freshman course on how to prevent abuse and dating violence.’

Wolfe said abuse is not just a battle between two individuals.’ ‘

‘Domestic violence is a human rights issue, a community issue,’ she said.’ ‘It affects entire families and all aspects of society, such as schools and healthcare.’

Wolfe said the best way to prevent abuse is to understand its different forms.

‘There are six forms,’ she said. ‘Physical, verbal, mental and emotional, sexual, financial and cultural and identity.”

For example, Wolfe said, too much texting, or ‘textual harassment,’ could be a form of abuse.’

‘If you get 50 texts an hour from someone asking ‘Where you at?’ constantly, that’s abusive,’ she said. ‘They need to know what’s going on. They’re not giving you any independence.’

College of Arts and Sciences senior Guerrero said she holds domestic violence discussions for students every semester to raise awareness.’

‘This is my first time holding this at the Women’s Resource Center,’ she said. ‘It’s hard to get people to come out, but women are proactive with the issue of domestic violence.’ It appeals to them.” ‘

Guerrero said one of her family members was the victim of an abusive relationship.’ ‘

‘It was a hard process for her and her children to get out of,’ she said.’

Wolfe said it is important to remain objective and impartial when consoling friends or family about abuse. The most important thing is to affirm that the victim is valued.

‘I want people to know that abuse is not just a dark, dirty issue,’ she said. ‘There are ways to talk about it, and I encourage victims to ask someone.”

Wolfe said she appreciates the sorority’s involvement and concern of domestic violence.’

‘They provide a safe place for students,’ she said.’

Students said some of the forms of abuse Wolfe described were eye-opening.

‘I didn’t know of the cultural and identity part of abuse,’ CAS sophomore Amanda Gonzalez said. ‘[I knew] more of the physical and verbal aspects.”

Gonzalez said she attended the discussion to understand what defines abuse and how long the traits can stay in an individual.

‘Before Chris Brown and Rihanna’s scandal, it was often kept quiet,’ she said. ‘After, it was brought to everyone’s attention.’ I wanted to know whether people can change or not.’