loveisrespect Blog

I was surfing YouTube the other day and I found this great video:

The PSA is great because it gives an overview of topics that we hear about a lot on calls and chats, and stresses the fact that these situations are no less serious or dangerous because the people in the relationships are teens.

The video was produced by pre-teen, and teenage women participating in the Reel Grrls program, an after school program to get youth involved in media. Way to go, Reel Grrls, keep up the socially conscious work!

If you’re a high school student living in Tennessee, take note. The Somebody Say Something! Video Contest, sponsored by the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, has extended their entry deadline to August 15.

Videos should challenge others to get involved in ending dating abuse issues in their community and can be up to two minutes long. Check out their website for more information and the complete rules. Winners to be announced in Fall 2008. We can’t wait to see them!

Hi. My brother is in a bad relationship. His girlfriend is always accusing him of cheating on her even though he’s not. He won’t tell me what’s happening most of the time, but I’m pretty sure she’s hit him before too. Can guys be abused too? And would you help him if he called you?

Yes, guys can experience abuse just like women.  Abuse in relationships is not limited to any kind of classification, whether it be race, class, educational background, or gender.  Although most resources are directed towards women that are being abused by men, the same resources can be used by men to determine if they are being abused by their partner.  If a guy is being abused and does not recognize it, he can always take the relationship quiz located on the Know the Red Flags website.  This quiz will allow men to recognize some of the abusive behaviors he may be experiencing in his relationship.  Also, he can always contact us by chat (www.loveisrespect.org) or phone (1-866-331-9474).  Helpline advocates are trained to talk to men and can discuss the signs, factors, and behaviors that constitute abuse in relationships.  Advocates give the support and resources that men need to end the abuse occurring in their relationships.    

Liz Claiborne, the founding sponsor of the Helpline, has made a loveisrespect t-shirt available on their website. They’re the same t-shirts our staff and peer advocates wear when they’re out representing the Helpline. Plus, a piece of each sale benefits loveisrespect, so check it out!

Tween and Teen Dating Violence and Abuse Study

Here’s a quick link to the study featured on the CBS Early Morning Show today, co-sponsored by loveisrespect and conducted by TRU.

The peer advocates at loveisrespect know that dating abuse happens in all types of teen relationships, including same sex relationships. We take calls and chats every day from GLBTQ teens and talk to them about healthy relationships, safety planning, and if they’re ready, how to end an abusive relationship.

When any of our callers/chatters need help with issues other than dating abuse, we try to give them a resource that can help. As part of our new and improved blog, we’d like to feature those resources on occasion - today we start with the Trevor Project.

Oftentimes, GLBTQ youth have needs that fall outside the area of dating abuse. In these cases, a great resource for GLBTQ youth is the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project has awesomely fabulous advocates to help out with all sorts of life problems that GLBTQ youth could be going through. That’s why we were thrilled to see the Trevor Project profiled by CNN today. Congrats, Trevor Project, keep doing what you’re doing!

Find more information by visiting www.thetrevorproject.com, or calling 1-866-488-7386.

Today in Florida, a new dating violence bill will be signed into law. The Barwick/Ruschak Act was named after two victims of dating violence, Tiffany Barwick and Michael Ruschack. On September 24, 2007 both were killed by Barwick’s ex-boyfriend. Only hours before Barwick and Ruschack went to the police station to report an email death threat sent by the ex.

The new law will provide the same rights to those in a dating violence situation as those in domestic violence situations. The families of the victims will be present at the signing.

Learn more about the bill here and here.

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And don’t forget, you can always find us on Myspace and Facebook too.

loveisrespect staff and loveisrespect spokesperson, Camille Winbush, (Thanks Camille!) visited a Los Angeles area high school recently to spread the word about dating abuse and the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline.

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