A Statement From loveisrespect.org: Court Testimony Shows Yeardley Love Was a Victim of Dating Abuse

Everyone Can Help Prevent Dating Abuse. Start by Visiting loveisrespect.org -- The Most Comprehensive Resource to Help Young People Build Healthy Relationships

News provided by

loveisrespect.org

Feb 16, 2012, 08:00 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth of Virginia versus George Huguely V murder trial in Charlottesville (Va.) Circuit Court is underway with Huguely, a 24 year old former University of Virginia lacrosse player charged with the murder of his former girlfriend, Yeardley Love, a women's lacrosse player on May 2, 2010.

Now in the second week of testimony, it is clear Love was the victim of dating abuse long before her death.  The defense maintains that Huguely was drunk the night of her death, visited her to "work things out," did not intend to kill her and left her apartment with no sense she had been badly hurt.

"I do not know what happened on May 2, but I do know dating abuse is happening on every campus in the nation and we could do a better job preventing it," commented Marjorie Gilberg, Executive Director of Break the Cycle.

Nearly half (43%) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors. Moreover, college students are not equipped to deal with dating abuse – 57% say it is difficult to identify and 58% say they don't know how to help someone who is experiencing it.

"We are working to reduce the shocking rates of abuse among college students and we want young adults to know that loveisrespect.org is here to answer their questions about dating abuse and relationships.  You can connect with a trained peer advocate, 24-hours–a-day, 7-days–a-week, by online chat, phone and now for the first time ever – by text," said Dyanne Purcell, CEO, National Dating Abuse Helpline.  "Everyone can play a role in making relationships safer by taking the time to learn how to identify abuse and what to do if you or a friend encounters it."

Vice President Joe Biden was the first to demonstrate to the country the simplicity and utility of the texting service by sending the first message.  With the innovative structure of the new loveisrespect.org, teens and young adults can now get immediate help no matter where they are by texting "LOVEIS" to 77054.

In addition to the text feature, the new loveisrespect.org is engaging young people to take action against abuse.  "Yeardley Love's peers have testified that they witnessed warning signs and abusive patterns between the couple.  However, they did not effectively intervene, either because they did not understand the seriousness or they did not know how to help," continued Ms. Gilberg.  "At loveisrespect.org, we're training teens, college students, parents, teachers and administrators what to do in this situation.  If we are to prevent senseless tragedies like these, we all need to learn the dynamics, warning signs and best practices for dealing with dating abuse.  You can start by exploring the content at loveisrespect.org."

We have broadcast quality b-roll and interviews of the two CEO's, survivors of dating abuse and youth activists who are making a difference in their community.

Dating Abuse Resources:

About loveisrespect.org
Loveisrespect.org helps teens and young adults, ages 12-24 navigate the spectrum of healthy relationship behaviors. From the program, young people learn there are options, answers and support available to them every hour of every day. Break the Cycle and the National Dating Abuse Helpline designed the new loveisrespect.org specifically for young people, emphasizing confidentiality and trust to ensure teens and 20-somethings nationwide feel safe and supported – online and off. Find out more at www.loveisrespect.org.

Contact: Susan Risdon at (214) 226-6741 or [email protected]

SOURCE loveisrespect.org

21%

more press release views with 
Request a Demo