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Overview
If you’re a parent, caregiver, or adult, in general, you undoubtedly have a young person in your life that you care about. One conversation about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors—as we’ve learned through our Focus Group—can make all the difference in a young person’s life. Using the information gathered by survivors, combined with our unique tools and videos, we’ve created a comprehensive discussion guide you can use to easily jump start the conversation.
Learn more about how the guide is structured the resources you can use.
How the Guide is Structured
The guide is focused on 5 questions. The first question is a general question that is designed to provide an overview of what abuse looks like. The remaining four are designed to provide a platform to discuss (a) advice from experts, (b) advice from survivors, and (c) specific conversation starters.
- What do unhealthy behaviors look like? How do you spot them?
- How can I talk to young people about relationship abuse before they start dating? What does the conversation look like with an elementary-aged child?
- How do I continue to be a resource for the young people in my life once they start dating? What are your strategies for talking with teenagers about relationships? How do you have these conversations and what, specifically, do you say?
- What can a young person do to help a friend who may be in an unhealthy relationship? What kinds of things can they say to a friend, or do if something happens in front of them?
- What do I do if I am concerned that a child I know may be in an unhealthy relationship or is exhibiting unhealthy behaviors? What might be the first clues you notice that something?
Purpose of the video: This video provides an overview of Yeardley’s story, the Escalation Workshop that is used to educate young people, and the movement that has been sparked across the country.
When to show the video: This video provides an overview of Yeardley’s story, the Escalation Workshop that is used to educate young people, and the movement that has been sparked across the country.
Purpose of the video: Because I Love You highlights shows how simple statements like “Because I Love You” combined with other actions can escalate to manipulation and control.
When to show the video: This video is best for young people age 13 and up.
Purpose of the video: Because I Love You highlights shows how simple statements like “Because I Love You” combined with alcohol can escalate to manipulation and control.
When to show the video: This video is best for young people age 13 and up.
Purpose of the video: This video portrays how feeling trapped in a Love Labyrinth is a very real and very frightening symptom of relationship abuse.
When to show the video: This video is best for young people ages 13 and up.
Purpose of the video: These short clips show both the healthy and unhealthy version of the same behavior; clearly defining the difference. Check out all 8 videos
When to show the video: Popular amongst younger age groups, and goes well when paired with questions 2 and 4.
Talk to the young people in your life about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors
To help you with this conversation, we’ve created a discussion guide complete with questions, answers, and videos to help you talk about both healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors with young people in your life. You can use this guide for conversations in the classroom, with groups or teams, or even with loved ones.
Start a conversation
One conversation with a young person in your life can make all the difference in ensuring they create and have healthy relationships. Sign up below to download the Talking to Young People in Your Life discussion guide and start the conversation today.