February 24, 2016
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… Read More
February 17, 2016
This year’s teenDVmonth theme is how love means setting boundaries, so we decided to share some of the basics on how a healthy relationship means that both dating partners set boundaries with each other.What are Relationship Boundaries?

When we talk about boundaries, we mean all kinds of… Read More

February 10, 2016
For young people, dating relationships are new and exciting uncharted territory. What does a healthy relationship mean, exactly? What skills should young people work on together with their dating partner? And what makes a relationship unhealthy or abusive?Communication in a Healthy… Read More

February 01, 2016
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and we have tons of amazing activities planned all month long. Help us celebrate healthy relationships and join us in taking action to help spread awareness and prevent dating violence! Here’s how you can help:It’s Time to Talk is… Read More

January 25, 2016
Amidst po boys and jazz musicians, the Garden District and the French Quarter, a powerful group of people came together with a common goal: to better equip themselves and their communities to end sexual and domestic violence, dating and stalking. In early December 2015, Break the Cycle’s Training… Read More
January 20, 2016
The problem of sexual assault on campus continues to persist and make headlines in the news. But if you have a child and you think, “they don’t care what I say,” or “they don’t want to hear me talk about that,” you’re wrong. Whether your teen is still choosing which school they’ll go to in the fall… Read More
January 13, 2016
Experiencing unhealthy or abusive relationship behaviors is already a very difficult situation, but alcohol and drugs can only make it worse. While there has been a general decline over the last two decades in the use of illicit drugs among teens, it’s still an issue, and it’s important to know how… Read More
January 06, 2016
2016 is here, and while last year’s news has brought issues like sexual assault and dating violence into the spotlight, now is the time for action. Anyone can become an advocate to end dating violence, including you! Here are nine things you can do this year to promote healthy relationships:1…. Read More

December 16, 2015
When people start dating, new emotions are very intense. No one goes into a relationship thinking about when the tide will turn and you have to start thinking about breaking up.  But at some point your feelings may fade and be replaced with a feeling that you should break up. So how can you… Read More
December 02, 2015
At Break the Cycle, we strive everyday to help educate, promote, and spread awareness of healthy relationships behaviors for young people. And we know you believe this is a worthy cause, too. That’s why we’re asking you to consider donating to Break the Cycle.Your funds help our organization do… Read More

November 24, 2015
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to take a moment and give thanks to what we’re grateful for in our partners and healthy relationships. See what the Break the Cycle staff had to say!Charlotte Keenan, Staff Attorney:

I am thankful for trust and open communication… Read More

Warning Signs of Abuse: Name Calling
November 11, 2015
Everyone jokes around and teases their family and friends, as well as in dating relationships. However, there’s a line between being playful and insensitive or mean. What happens when “teasing” goes too far?One of the biggest red flags of an unhealthy or abusive relationship is name calling.

November 03, 2015
This past October, we were busy participating in National Domestic Violence Awareness Month events across the country, raising awareness and educating youth, parents and community members! Check out some of the amazing conferences, talks, and more we got to be a part of in this roundup of events to… Read More
September 30, 2015
As teenagers transition from preadolescence into adulthood, studies show there is “a substantial increase in the experience of negative emotions”. However, they may not have learned yet how to deal with these negative emotions in a constructive manner. One study suggests that teens who engage in an… Read More
September 21, 2015
This week’s guest blog was written by National Youth Advisory Board member Tatsumi Romano. Tatsumi is seventeen years old and travels between New York City and Los Angeles as an actress. She has been on the board for one year and is a high school student. She uses the arts platform to engage… Read More
September 09, 2015
Ah, the “honeymoon period” — that spark of magic where everything in a dating partner seems perfect. It’s exciting, it’s exhilarating, it’s romantic! And then, the magic starts to fade. The wave of new discoveries slows down and we find ourselves in a relationship that doesn’t feel shiny and new… Read More
September 02, 2015
With school starting back up, so does the opportunity for new or continuing romances. While relationships or casual hookups can be exciting at first, it’s extremely important to know the warning signs of dating violence. Recognizing these signs can help prevent a dating partner from becoming hurt… Read More
August 26, 2015
With over 120 colleges and universities now under investigation for their handling of sexual assault cases on campus, it’s inordinately evident that the system needs to change. Fortunately, there are resources, experts and legislation available to help support survivors and advocates…. Read More
August 20, 2015
As your teenager heads off to school, they’re walking into a maze of adolescent experiences waiting to happen, including dating and sex. If you talk to your teen about sex and sexuality, they might react indignantly or recoil in horror (“Mom! Dad! Gross!”). Young people are often hesitant to open… Read More
August 06, 2015
The idea of sexual consent continues to dominate the news. California and New York have recently signed or are in the middle of discussions on “yes means yes” bills, which would require both partners to give “affirmative consent” before performing sexual acts with each other. Over for the… Read More