Posters spread info on partner abuse

What the hell's wrong with you?

Don't you ever shut up?

The hateful sentences are written in the shape of a knife and a fist upon posters around the Southeast Missouri State University campus. The message: Abuse isn't always physical.

Southeast Missouri State, along with the state attorney general's office and Verizon Wireless, has started an on-campus campaign on partner abuse awareness.

It's part of a statewide effort to highlight common phrases of verbal abuse that are used to intimidate and control victims and may signal more violent behavior.

The posters include a telephone number where victims can be put in touch with a counselor.

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates between one in every four or five college women will be raped at least once during college. Other studies report that 39 percent of students are affected by some sort of dating violence.

The campaign began at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in September.

"The damaging cycle of domestic violence often begins with partner abuse among our youth, said Verizon regional president Mark Crumpton in a press release. "Through this campaign, we hope to put a greater focus on this problem and on the lasting negative impact it can have on young people on campuses throughout the state."