If you are involved in a violent relationship and do not know who to turn to, the University Resources for Women, 105 Normal Road, is offering support and education to victims.

The University Resources for Women is aiming special programs toward aiding college students in violent relationships. The program is a branch of Safe Passage, a domestic violence agency whose goals are to reduce or prevent domestic violence in DeKalb.

Pam Wiseman, executive director of Safe Passage, said the Domestic Violence Act was changed in January of this year to include couples who are dating as well as married couples.

The new law allows a person to file an order of protection against the abuser. This requires the abuser to stay clear of the victim.

Wiseman’s advice to anyone in a violent relationship is to first simply tell someone what is happening. Many abusers want their victims to remain silent about their abuse because this is a way for them to feel they have power.

Staying silent only adds to problems and without intervention the abuse often becomes more severe, Wiseman said.

Wiseman said she cannot pinpoint the exact cause of domestic violence but said there are certain things it is attributed to.

“People think violence happens because of alcohol. Alcohol is associated with violence but it is not the cause,” Wiseman said. “People think if someone quits drinking they will stop being abusive, that’s wrong.”

Another source of violence seems to be a lack of communication in relationships. Men are often clear in making their demands known, but women often do not express all their feelings, Wiseman said.

“Abusers want power over someone. This has to do with the long standing cultural expectations that men own women,” Wiseman said. “Seventy percent of victims leave the relationship, but it usually takes 5 to 7 times (of being abused.)”

The support group offered by University Resources for Women allows victims whether they be men or women, to confide in someone about their relationship problems. The group gives victims the chance to talk with other people in the same situation because many victims may think their problem is unique.

The group meets every Monday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and is free and confidential.