Ending Relationship Abuse Together: Guides for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators

Our lives were forever changed on May 3, 2010, when we lost Yeardley Love, a universally loved and vibrant senior at the University of Virginia. In the months before her graduation, we were unaware of the relationship abuse and violence she was facing. We simply didn’t know how prevalent abuse was among young people. We didn’t recognize the warning signs, and we lacked the language and tools to identify the behaviors and start a conversation. Since that devastating day, it has been our unwavering mission to raise awareness, educate and empower others with the knowledge, language and tools we wish we had over 15 years ago. Our drive is to help everyone avoid the heartbreak of losing a child, sibling, friend and teammate as we lost Yeardley.

What we have learned over the years is this: prevention education really works. The CDC tells us that prevention works best when we:

• Teach safe and healthy relationship skills early and often
• Create protective environments
• Engage influential adults and peers

In other words, it truly takes a village to help youth understand what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like and feel like.

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, we’re excited to share two new resources created for the trusted adults in young people’s lives. These guides give parents, caregivers and other adults practical tips and tools to start these conversations and what to do if they’re worried about a young person. As adults, we play a powerful role in shaping how the young people in your life understand and experience relationships. These guides are designed to build and deepen the conversations you are having with youth. And with each conversation, you can strengthen their ability to build healthy relationships and recognize unhealthy behaviors before it escalates to abuse.

Our Parent & Caregiver Guide will help you:

• Better understand what today’s teens are dealing with
• Reflect on your relationships, including your relationship with your teenager
• Practice building healthy relationship skills
• Learn about topics such as boundaries and consent, navigating breakups, and more

Our Educator Guide will help you:

• Get a clearer picture of how adolescents think and grow
• Reflect on your relationships and your role as an educator
• Create a welcoming and supportive classroom environment
• Practice building healthy relationships in your everyday interactions

We certainly wish we’d had these resources years ago as professionals who worked closely with youth and as mothers. We’re thrilled to share these resources with you, so you can build the confidence to have the conversations we wish we’d had known to start with Yeardley.

We know these conversations aren’t always easy, but we firmly believe that together, we can and will end relationship abuse and create a world of healthier relationships. Let’s start today.

Thank you for joining the movement,

Sharon Love, Founder & Julie Myers, CEO