Fear of stigmatization and shame drives many women to stay silent and refrain from reporting intimate partner violence (IPV). 'Normalization' of violence in contemporary culture often results in inability to recognize behaviors as violent or controlling, and women may internalize the idea that they are responsible for victimization because they behaved inappropriately or did not anticipate and maneuver men's aggressive behavior. This research assessed university students' recognition of intimate partner violence and analyzed their attitudes toward this behavior. Subjects were surveyed on their attitudes toward IPV and abilities to accurately identify scenarios of intimate partner violence. Their ability to identify resources for victims of IPV on campus was also examined. Of 381 male (n = 151) and female (n = 230) university students 97% were able to accurately identify the scenario that did not depict intimate partner violence. Recognition rates were as high as 90% for scenarios that described physically violent IPV. However, only 51% were able to identify IPV behaviors involving control, coercion, and threats that did not involve physical violence. Female participants were statistically more likely than males to accurately identify IPV. Over 55% believed that IPV was a problem on their campus and 75% of participants disagreed with all statements that depicted abusive and violent behaviors as acceptable. Results indicate that though women may be more capable of identifying IPV than men, identification of IPV becomes more complex when physical violence is absent. Results have implications for understanding and addressing high rates of gendered violence, and may help to explain why many cannot recognize what is identified by law as harassment, coercion, violence, and abuse in many aspects of life.