By now, many people have seen the video of NFL player Ray Rice beating his fiancee in an elevator. The incident sparked a national conversation on the issues of relationships and domestic violence. But could something like that ever happen at Case Western Reserve University?

Students come to CWRU for a variety of reasons, ranging from getting an education to learning to solve the world’s problems to getting a job that will let them to finally eat at a restaurant that doesn’t accept meal swipes. Outside of academics, however, the social aspect is also an integral part of the university experience.

Meeting new people from different backgrounds is one of the best parts of college. Some of these people will be study partners, while others you may get into a more intimate relationship with.

The key thing to remember is that any relationship that involves violence is not a healthy relationship. You don’t have to get wrapped up in the legal definition of what is or isn’t domestic violence (something that differs from state to state), but remember that, if someone hits you, it is illegal and you need to seek help. Leave legal clarification to us.

While this may be obvious to many people, there have been cases at this university where students that may have been victims of domestic or relationship violence gave blank stares and said that they never thought of contacting the police.

While physical violence in a relationship is clearly crossing the line, verbal and psychological abuse can also be illegal, depending on the circumstances. It is definitely not a sign of a healthy relationship.

If you are involved in a physically, verbally or psychologically abusive relationship, or know someone who is, you need to tell someone—the police, an RA, coach, professor, whoever can get the help that is needed.

While we may not have elevator footage of domestic violence, it has happened here in the past and it will again, if we as a community let it. Let’s look out for each other and prevent domestic violence.

On the Beat is a weekly safety column written by Sergeant Jeffrey Daberko & Officer Mark (The Crossing Guard) Chavis of CWRU PD. We welcome questions, suggestions and gripes/groans/moans/complaints about campus life at policecolumn@case.edu.