[youtube= "I was spit on" and "she stalked me" are not statements one typically expects or wants to hear from teenagers discussing their dating life. However, this video demonstrates the dark reality of dating abuse amongst teenagers and its many forms beyond physical abuse. Teen dating violence can be physical, but it often includes threats, harassing text messaging, insults, isolation from family and friends, sexual abuse, name-calling, emotional abuse and controlling a partner’s behavior and appearance. Further, it can happen to anyone, at any age, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, level of education or economic background. This public service announcement (PSA) won the Let Your Heart Rule PSA contest hosted by Break the Cycle and Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine®. Thank you Lehman High School in Bronx, N.Y. and all the other entrants for taking action against teen dating violence through their imaginative, impactful videos! Check out the winning video above, especially if you [...]

A few weeks ago, I was having a discussion on the dynamics of abuse with a survivor.  Mid-conversation,she stopped me and asked,“Are you sure you’ve never been abused?”  “Well,no,I mean…” I stammered.  “No,it’s not whether or not I’ve been abused,but the fact that I’m a woman.  I think many women are able to deeply understand the injustices in abusive relationships because we’ve experienced smaller tastes of the same injustice on some level in our own relationships.”  What an “Aha!” moment that was for both of us and one that led to a fruitful discussion. You see,the thing about patriarchy (broadly defined as control by men of a disproportionately large share of power) is that it does play a role in many women’s lives and relationships.  For instance, many women are in relationships with men who, while they would deny such an accusation, are undoubtedly taking steps to control their partner.  [...]