By Danielle Ngamegni

The University of Maryland’s Sexual Assault Prevention Committee hosted the Raise Your Voice: Speaker Series discussing ways to identify and intervene in intimate partner violence as their final event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month last week.

Cortney Fisher, a lecturer for the university’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, was the main speaker of the event.

Fisher described intimate partner violence as “imbalanced power maintained by a pattern of coercive and controlling tactics which places an individual with whom there is a past or present intimate relationship in fear.”

Throughout the speaker series, Fisher discussed multiple signs of an abusive relationship, ranging from signs of anxiety and depression to indecisiveness.

Fisher cited O.J. Simpson, a former NFL football player involved in a domestic violence incident, as an example. She referenced a 911 call made by his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, after their separation. Fisher said that because Simpson was the father of Brown’s children, it may have complicated her leaving. Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman, were stabbed to death June 12, 1994. Simpson was acquitted of all criminal charges following the 1995 murder trial.

“The most dangerous time in any relationship is when the victim leaves,” Fisher said.

She also explained that loyalty is one of the many reasons why it may be difficult for a victim to leave an abusive relationship.

Sophia Hwangbo, a junior criminology and criminal justice and psychology major, said she learned domestic violence is easy to ignore in the beginning, but it eventually escalates to a cycle of abuse and self-isolation.

“You’re still stuck there without a way to leave, especially if, over the course of the years that you’re isolated from people, it can happen very slowly,” Hwangbo said.

Fisher said victims can experience isolation in abusive relationships internally or externally, whether from their abuser’s manipulative behavior or from their own feeling of having no one to turn to. Abusers are also often allowed to get away from any consequences because the criminal justice system is “awful” at holding them accountable, according to Fisher.

According to the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, at least 63% of reported cases of intimate partner violence do not result in conviction.

While there are many ways to identify signs of domestic violence, Fisher emphasized that anyone could play an important role in intervening.

“I think a lot of people get scared when they stand out or are the outsider,” said Diane Juica, a senior international relations and criminology and criminal justice major. “If you see something not right or morally right, then you should kind of stick with your gut. Do what’s best for that person,” she added.

Fisher strongly advised doing this by only commenting on what you see if your friend is exhibiting abusive behavior. She added that it’s important to stay in the victim’s life, avoid judging their actions and offer to get help with them.

“Nobody’s helpless in this situation. You don’t have to sit back and watch your loved one be hurt,” Fisher said.

Featured Image: Information cards from the CARE to Stop Violence Program on Oct. 29, 2026. Photo by Megan Tervo.