at The University of Iowa
The Red Flag Campaign is a project to raise awareness on campus about dating violence. The Red Flag Campaign seeks to raise awareness regarding the warning signs or “red flags” of dating violence in all of its forms including verbal, emotional, or physical abuse or a combination of all three.
Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and/or aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship.
It can occur in any relationship regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
According to national surveys, 32% of college students report dating violence perpetrated by a previous partner and 21% reported dating violence with a current partner. College women experience the highest per capita rates of intimate violence, at almost triple the national average according to the Department of Justice.
The Red Flag Campaign encourages all students, regardless of age, gender identity, and sexual identity to notice the red flags of dating violence and speak up when you notice them. Speak up for yourself, your friends, and your community. If you or someone you know is a victim of dating violence, remember the red flags and use the resources below to get help.
Join the campaign to defend the rights of everyone to safe, respectful, and healthy relationships!
There are many forms of dating violence. They can be broadly categorized into the following areas. However, some actions may combine some or many of these actions or thoughts.
"He said if I really loved him, I’d have sex with him"
Download & Print the Coercion Poster
"She makes me feel fat and stupid and that no one would ever love me."
Download & Print the Emotional Abuse poster
"My partner doesn’t let me hang out with my friends. My partner says they should be enough."
Download & Print the Isolation poster
"I don’t let my partner talk with other people at parties."
Download & Print the Excessive Jealousy poster
"If I want to get some, I just need to get my partner wasted."
Download & Print the Sexual Assault poster
"My partner won’t respond to my messages. I know my partner wants to be with me. I know where to find my partner…"
Download & Print the Stalking Perpetrator poster
"We broke up six months ago. Why can’t my partner just leave me alone?"
Download & Print the Stalking Victim poster
"I didn’t want to, but my partner just kept embarrassing me in front of my friends. I had to out my partner in line."
Download & Print the Victim Blaming poster
If you, or someone you know, notices or experiences any of the red flags of dating violence, there are resources available to help. You don’t have to be a trained counselor or a superhero to stop dating violence; you just need to speak up to your friends, your resident assistant, campus security, or a number of organizations on campus and in the community that work for students and with students to respond and prevent dating violence at the University of Iowa.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911 or 319-335-5022
If you are looking for support in leaving an emotionally or physically violent relationship, you can contact the Domestic Violence Intervention Program at The Red Flag Campaign
1-800-373-1043 or via email at dvip@dvipiowa.org. DVIP provides direct victim support including shelter housing and referrals for counseling and legal aid.
The Threat Assessment Team can make referrals to appropriate agencies on campus and in the community. They can help in coordinating necessary responses across academic and student life areas to facilitate a transition into a safer environment. You can contact the Threat Assessment Team through Lieutenant Peter Berkson at 319-384-2787 or Jane Caton at 319-384-2955 during normal business hours. You can also email the Threat Assessment Team at uitat@uiowa.edu
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, you can contact the Rape Victim Advocacy Program at 319-335-6000 AT ANY TIME (24/7). You will be connected with a confidential, on call advocate who can be present and offer expert advice about a number of options and rights that you or someone you know has as a victim of sexual assault. All calls are confidential and they maintain office hours at 332 South Linn Street, Iowa City 52240.
If you would like to receive confidential help in dealing with a situation involving dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or harassment, and learn about the various options available to you before deciding what course of action to take, you can contact the Women’s Resource & Action Center at 319-335-1486 and ask to speak to Center’s director, Linda Stewart Kroon.
You can also receive confidential information and assistance from the Ombudsperson’s Office at 319-335-3608.
If you would like to make a formal report of dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment on the University of Iowa campus, you can talk to the University of Iowa Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator, Monique DiCarlo. She can reached at 319-335-6200 or emailed at Monique-dicarlo@uiowa.edu. Her office provides support in arranging accommodations for academics, housing, protection against retaliation, issuing no-contact directives, referrals to other advocacy organizations, law enforcement agencies, and medical resources as well as other services.
If you would like support in arranging counseling services to help cope with the emotional impact of an abusive or violent relationship, you can contact University Counseling Services at 319-335-7294 or the Women’s Resource and Action Center at 319-335—1486. Both UCS and WRAC offer counseling services or can refer you to a more long term local counselor if you would like.
Whatever you choose to do, there are many resources to help support you. The University of Iowa supports the rights of all members of the campus community to safe and respectful relationships and encourages all students to take part in promoting these values.
When you see the flags, say something. Help us continue the conversation online and in person.
