Love Is… Character Ed Project Presented By: The Domestic Violence Awareness Group

The purpose of our project.... To raise awareness about Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault and Healthy/Unhealthy Relationships. To educate our classmates and peers To identify YOUR definition of what “Love is…” in regards to relationships with your friends, family, classmates, yourself, and significant others/partners.

Did you Know? Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is NOT a myth, it happens with teens daily! The person you are sitting next to in class, the boy on the wrestling team, or even the girl in Student Council, could be a survivor. Get informed and please think before you speak. You never know what someone is going through. Give your voice and lend your hands.. together help change the statistics 1 in 3 teens in the U.S is a survivor of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse Violent behavior typically begins between the ages of 12 and 18 in relationships Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a year 50-80% of teens report knowing someone involved in a violent relationship Over 80% of high school counselors report feeling unprepared to address incidents of abuse

Healthy Relationships Unhealthy Relationships Neglecting yourself/Changing yourself for your partner Feel worried when you disagree with the other person Feel pressure to quit activities you usually/used to enjoy Manipulation/Controlling behavior Lack of time spent with friends/family due to partner Having to always justify your actions (i.e. where you are going/who you are with) Being forced/feeling obligated to be intimate Experience yelling or physical violence during an argument Take care of yourself/good self-esteem Maintain and respect each other’s individuality Maintain relationships with friends and family Have activities apart from one another Are able to express yourselves to one another without fear of consequences Are able to feel secure and comfortable Allow and encourage other relationships Trust each other and be honest with each other Have respect for intimate boundaries Resolve conflict fairly Source - http://depts.washington.edu/hhpccweb/health-resource/healthy-vs- unhealthy-relationships/

Where to get help? If you or someone you know are struggling or in danger: PLEASE reach out for help. Talk to a trusted adult or any counselor, especially Ms. Giordano, immediately . Most hotlines are CONFIDENTIAL, ran by a professional and available 24/7 : 2nd Floor Youth Helpline - (888)-222-2228 Domestic Violence Helpline - 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Sexual Assault Helpline - 800.656.HOPE (4673) Suicide Prevention Helpline - 1-800-273-8255 (Offers online chat as well) Human Trafficking Helpline - 1-888-373-7888

Love is…. On the snowflakes provided, write YOUR definition of what “Love is…” This can be one simple word or a short sentence. FOR EXAMPLE: “Love is Laughing!” “Love is respecting space.” “Love is being able to share my feelings without judgement.” Hand in your completed snowflakes and return the bag to Ms. Montalvo. These snowflakes will be anonymous and displayed on the SLAC bulletin board in the Cafe 1 hallway. TEACHERS: Click on the link once you have completed the project. Love is Link THANK YOU!