10 Things Not to Say on a First Date

November 07, 2014
First dates are exciting for anyone, especially for young people who may not have gone out on a date! That said, a first date can also turn into the perfect storm of nerves, hormones and tactlessness. It can be really easy to screw up the date by saying or doing the wrong thing. If you want to make… Read More
Leaving an Emotionally Abusive Relationship
November 04, 2014
Actress and singer Jennifer Lopez recently admitted she’s been in an emotionally abusive relationship in the past.

“I’ve never gotten a black eye or a busted lip, but I’ve felt abused in one way or another: mentally, emotionally, verbally,” Lopez writes in new memoir, True Love. Sadly, J.Lo… Read More

5 Important Ways to Document Abuse
November 03, 2014
One threatening text may not be enough for someone to realize it’s abuse, but multiple and repeated threatening texts are a pattern of behavior. The same goes for emails, phone calls, voicemails, and messages online. And often, when abuse happens digitally or verbally, it can escalate to something… Read More
Fighting Fair With a Partner
October 22, 2014
Part of being in a healthy relationship is communicating effectively, including when someone feels angry or disappointed. Disagreements and fights are bound to happen in any relationship, which is why it’s crucial to know how to fight fairly with a partner.

What is unfair fighting? It’s when one… Read More

What Can Lawyers Do to Help Victims of Domestic Violence?
October 20, 2014
In many states, the laws are designed so that the victim can obtain a protection order or restraining order without a lawyer. But say there are children involved or there are issues with immigration. What if the abuser has a lawyer? If any of these pertain to your or your child’s case, then it’s a… Read More
The Connection Between Teen Dating, Adult Couples and Technology
October 15, 2014
Digital technology continues to eke a permanent place in American lives. How we communicate, who we meet, and how we meet them. How we manage our lives are increasingly dictated by the Internet, social media and cell phones. But how do couples in committed relationships, married or not, use… Read More
Warning Signs of Abuse: Name Calling
October 10, 2014
Everyone jokes around and teases their family and friends. It’s the same in a relationship. However, there’s a line between being playful and rude. What happens when it goes from innocent teasing to insulting?

One of the biggest red flags of an unhealthy or abusive relationship is name calling…. Read More

This Animal is Not Appropriate During DVAM
October 08, 2014
Last week kicked off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so we find it in bad taste that Maroon 5’s “Animals” video came out days before, glorifying stalker behavior.

At RAINN, they feel that the video is a “dangerous depiction of a stalker’s fantasy.” We tend to agree. From the… Read More

An Overview of Domestic Violence in Nepal
October 03, 2014
In this post, our co-worker Sagar offers a perspective on domestic violence entirely different — and yet all too familiar — from the one we have in America. From cultural norms passed down over time, to legal progress filled with loopholes, it paints a startling and similar picture of datng abuse… Read More
It’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month!
September 30, 2014
Don’t stay silent. It’s time to speak up all month long.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country.

Domestic violence affects… Read More

#WhyIStayed Shows Why Dating Abuse is Complicated
September 10, 2014
One of the biggest misunderstandings about dating abuse is why a victim would remain victimized. Why don’t they leave? Can’t they just break up with their partner? What’s holding them back?

This line of questioning leads to further misconceptions: they must be weak, they must like the abuse or… Read More

Tell CeeLo Green Why Consent Is So Important
September 04, 2014
This past week, Grammy Award-winning musician CeeLo Green pleaded no contest to slipping Ecstasy in a dinner date’s drink in 2012, where he was sentenced to three years of formal probation and community service.

Following his felony court case, the singer sent out some disturbing tweets:

“… Read More

The Impact of Substance Abuse on Unhealthy Relationships
August 11, 2014
Being in an unhealthy or abusive relationship is already a difficult situation. Alcohol and drug abuse only make matters worse. When a partner is under the influence, the risks of abuse on all levels – physical, verbal, emotional, digital and sexual – are all amplified, leading to a deeply… Read More
How to Obtain a Restraining Order Against an Abuser
July 30, 2014
If an abusive relationship has reached a point of danger, it may be time to seek a restraining order, also known as a protection order. This makes it a crime for an abusive partner to come near or contact the victim in any way, including seeing them in person, calling, emailing, texting,… Read More
Warning Signs: Is It Physical Abuse?
July 21, 2014
Dating abuse encompasses many types of abuse, including physical, emotional, verbal, digital and sexual. The warning signs of physical abuse may not be as obvious as someone might think. Because relationships exist on a spectrum, it can be hard to tell when a… Read More
National Youth Advisory Board Retreat 2014
July 15, 2014
Last week, loveisrespect’s awesome National Youth Advisory Board (NYAB) convened in the tranquil, picturesque North Carolina mountainside for their annual retreat. It was inspiring to see the 18 incredible NYAB members who could make it come from all over the country to learn how they can… Read More
The Relationship Between Alcoholism and Dating Abuse
July 14, 2014
“That wasn’t me. I was drunk. That’s not who I am.”

Researchers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Florida State University found recently that men and women who have been drinking alcohol are at a greater risk of becoming physically and sexually aggressive with their…

How Much Texting is Too Much?
July 07, 2014
How many texts do you think teens send in a day? Five? 20? 1,000?

If you guess 1,000, you’re not that far off. According to a study done by the Pew Internet and American Life Project in 2010, young people between the ages of 12 and 17 send more than 100 texts a day. “It… Read More

#VoicesHavePower Campaign Underway
June 30, 2014
At Break the Cycle, we work to inspire and support young people to build healthy relationships and create a culture without abuse. Dating violence affects millions of people every year, but people are still afraid to talk about it.

It’s time to start the conversation and bring hope to survivors… Read More

What Is Rape?
June 24, 2014
During a presentation at a company event last week, Tmobile CEO John Legere compared the prices of AT&T and Verizon to rape, saying, “these high and might duopolists that are raping you for every penny you have.” Although Legere apologized for the remarks, it brings up the issue of using… Read More