Psychologist bringing awareness to dating violence talks about warning signs
Many woke up to alarming news Thursday morning.
A man killing his 25-year-old girlfriend and her father.
“The first thing that I thought when I heard this horrible horrible story was that this was probably the end of a relationship or there was an issue in the relationship. I know I’m just assuming that right now but the danger in a relationship goes up dramatically if someone says I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore,” said Dr. Elizabeth Richeson, a psychologist.
Dr. Richeson also created Jennifer Ann’s group.
“Jennifer Ann’s group was started in 2006 after the murder of my granddaughter who was 18 years old,” Richeson said.
Richeson tells ABC-7 Jennifer Ann was killed by her boyfriend.
Shortly after Richeson and her son started the group to bring awareness to dating violence.
The group has traveled the world bringing awareness to dating violence but also talks with college students at local high schools– El Paso Community College and UTEP about the warning signs.
“The signs might have to be with someone abusing drugs or alcohol. It can be someone who has a violent history. Someone who makes threats … is very controlling, tries to remove you from your friends and family and so all of these are signs you need to start paying attention to that it’s not a healthy relationship,” Richeson said.
Richeson also has some alarming statistics.
“Forty-four percent of all college students will have been an abusive relationship by the time they graduate from college. So if it’s 44 percent reported we are assuming it’s 50 percent or more,” Richeson said.
Richeson says dating violence is more prevalent that many believe.
“It’s absolutely more prevalent. Unfortunately this is an issue of secrecy, most people don’t report this. If they report this it will likely be to a friend. They don’t want to tell someone that will intervene on their behalf because they don’t want to lose the relationship so it’s sort of tucked under a rug,” Richeson said.
If you’re interested in learning more about Jennifer Ann’s Group you can click here.
