Please note: Entries within this blog may contain references to instances of domestic abuse, dating abuse, sexual assault, abuse or harassment. At all times, Break the Cycle encourages readers to take whatever precautions necessary to protect themselves emotionally and psychologically. If you would like to speak with an advocate, please contact a 24/7 peer advocate at 866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522.
This past month was Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and to celebrate healthy relationships, we planned some fantastic activities throughout the entire month alongside loveisrespect, our partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline. In case you missed it, here are just a few of the highlights for 2016:
- We encouraged you to start the conversation about dating violence and sexual assault among young people with your family, friends, co-workers, and more on February 2 as part of It’s Time To Talk Day
- Our Legal Services Manager Laila Leigh was on MomsRising podcast (available to download on iTunes)
- We wore orange to promote healthy relationships and commemorate the month as part of Wear Orange Day on February 9. It was inspiring to see so many of you participate by wearing #Orange4Love
- We reached over 1 million people with the National Respect Announcement, which helped spread the word about healthy relationships on Valentine’s Day
- We helped you host #ChalkAboutLove on February 14 and 29, motivating you to chalk a sidewalk on your campus, school, neighborhood, workplace, or wherever you like about what love means to you
- We co-hosted a chat with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, featuring youth-led social justice efforts at the intersections of oppression and violence
- We shared the Respect Week Guide so everyone could get ideas and activities for schools and organizations to make an impact on their community
- Our Los Angeles team participated in the Youth Exploitation Safety Symposium in Long Beach, CA, where middle school, high school and college students came together to learn more about healthy relationships. We hosted a teenDVmonth Hang Out during the resource fair and shared info on healthy boundaries and resources.
Remember, just because February is over doesn’t mean you can’t keep talking about healthy relationships. Everyone deserves a healthy and respectful relationship all year round!
Mark your calendars for No More Week and join No More from March 6-12 as the community launches a week of activism. Make your voice heard through the No More postcard campaign!