ANN ARBOR—The shooting deaths of Natasha Qureshi and Christopher Groesbeck last week brought to mind for many in the University of Michigan community the tragic death of U-M student Tamara Williams in September 1997. Williams died in a stabbing that raised campuswide discussions about domestic violence.

Police characterized the deaths of Qureshi, a U-M senior, and Groesbeck, a recent U-M graduate, as a murder-suicide arising out of a failed romantic relationship.

A number of campus and community resources are available to those who are in a relationship that is violent or feels as if it has the potential for violence, noted Virginia Chitanda and Sarah Heuser of the U-M Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC).

According to a national survey conducted in 1991, about 28 percent of high school and college students said they had experienced violence in a dating relationship. Oftentimes, said Heuser, the early stages of a violent relationship are marked by attempts to exert power and control in a nonviolent manner, with violence escalating later on.

“SAPAC is a safe place where any member of the U-M community, male or female, can come to talk about their own relationship or that of a friend they’re concerned about,” said Heuser. “Our services are free and completely confidential. We’re available to U-M students, faculty and staff. We encourage people to come and talk to us if they’re feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, even if they have not directly experienced violence.”

SAPAC’s 24-hour crisis line is (734) 936-3333. In addition, individuals from Washtenaw County can contact Safe House at (734) 995-5444. Both SAPAC and Safe House can also make referrals to resources available outside Washtenaw County.

Students in need of assistance also can contact U-M Counseling and Psychological Services at (734) 764-8312. Faculty and staff