The Yeardley Love Story: Not As Uncommon As We Think
As a recent college graduate, the Yeardley Love story has really struck a chord in me. Love, a University of Virginia senior, was found dead in her apartment just last week, a victim of what appears to be intimate partner abuse. The story has spread like wildfire throughout the country, audiences shocked that something so brutal could happen to a young woman with such a bright future ahead of her. What the country fails to realize is that Yeardley’s circumstances are not out of the ordinary, but rather has garnered more attention to due to the deadly outcome.
I have seen first hand the extreme behavior that takes place in a college setting. While I’m not exactly sure why this is, behavior that is deemed irrational or extreme in the ‘real world’ is acceptable as a college co-ed. It has been reported that Yeardley’s boyfriend, George Huguely, often lost control and became physical after nights of drinking. It is only now, after Yeardley’s death, that her friends are recognizing his behavior should have clued them into a cycle of abuse that came to a heartbreaking end.
What concerns me the most, and what has come to light thanks to Yeardley, is the lack of action take by University’s to curb such violent behavior. Never once did I see on my college campus a flyer for support groups dedicated to domestic violence victims or posters with hotline numbers to call. Perhaps if more attention were given to the issue, people would be better equipped to recognize the signs of abuse, and young women like Yeardley would feel more comfortable asking for help.
If there’s a lesson to be learned from Yeardley’s story, I believe it is this: intimate partner abuse can happen to anyone of us. According to a recent survey conducted by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, nearly 1 in 3 teenagers who have been in a relationship report actual sexual or physical abuse, or threats of physical abuse. This is an alarmingly high statistic, and yet we all still act shocked when stories like Yeardley’s show up on the news. It is possible that our misperceptions of domestic violence victims, such as them being lower class or financially dependent on their abusers, prevent us from seeing any red flags that may be present. The conversation needs to be started and while it is tragic that it took the death of a young woman on a bright path, it’s important that her death not be in vain. Now is the time for increased dialogue and open communication, so that women know they are not alone in their struggle.
-Elisabeth, Assistant to Kathleen
