Now, where do I begin with what's wrong with this article? How about a few quick fire points:

1) Domestic VIOLENCE (DV), isn't the same thing as Domestic ABUSE (DA). DV is violence, usually in equal measure, between partners in a relationship, whereas DA is systematic and habitual abuse by one partner against another.

2) When one thinks of 'domestic abuse and/or violence' they conjure up images of men acting against women. It is grossly inaccurate and unfair to assume that all DA or DV is necessarilly man against woman. There is no evidence to suggest this as, for reasons of ego and pride, the vast majority of men would never in a million years dare to report to the police or anyone else that their gf/wife had abused them.

3) Further to point 2 above, there's no absolute definition of the phrases "domestic violence" or "domestic abuse". Does a mere arguement or row between a couple constitute DV?

4) Let's assume the unproved claim that DA/DV is commited predominantly by men against women: what if the woman attack the man and he retaliates? What if she does something indefensible, such as cheating on him or aborting his baby without his approval? (By the way, I absolutely abhore men who cheat on their gf's/wives). Should his instictive reaction to strike her really result in punishment: ie: is that fair?

5) Back to the article, it doesn't actually explain how each of the students polled actually knows for sure that someone they know has been "abused". Are they relying on hear-say? Are they jumping to conclusions because a couple they know aren't quite getting along?

6) There already are services available for students who feel they've been "abused". They're called the "liberation" campaigns, pastoral care teams, or if need be, each university has it own dedicated police officer.

As an authoritve survey, this one is absolutely worthless. I'm sure that there are much more important, worthwhile and cost effective things AI, the NUS and the WA could be getting on with.