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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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 - unhealthy-relationships/

5. 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)
Domestic Violence Helpline SAFE (7233)
Sexual Assault Helpline HOPE (4673)
Suicide Prevention Helpline (Offers online chat as well)
Human Trafficking Helpline

6. 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!