With every relationship, there’ll be those breakups to makeups. Bae isn’t perfect and neither are you, and sometimes that birthday cake-and-rainbows feeling you have toward each other fades a little bit. That’s normal. What’s not normal? If any of those breakups, makeups, and times in between include violence.

And not just the punching, hitting, pushing, slapping type. Those, of course, are extremely serious, but if you’re in a relationship and think that just because you’re not getting physically hurt that things are all good, you’re wrong. If your boyfriend has ever emotionally abused you or sexually abused you, that counts as violence, too!

A couple things to remember: It’s never your fault — ever. Also, you’re not alone. On the real, dating violence happens more often than you think:

• About 1.5 million high school students across the country experience physical abuse from someone they’re dating in a single year.
• 1 in 3 U.S. teens is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from the person they’re dating.
• 1 in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped, or physically hurt by the person they’re dating.
• One quarter of high school girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse.
• Approximately 70% of college students say they have been sexually coerced.
• Only 33% of teens who were in violent relationships ever told someone about the abuse.
  

  (Source: LoveIsRespect.Org)

This Valentine’s Day (and every day) remember that everyone deserves to be in a healthy, safe relationship. Join us as we join Break the Cycle and Love Is Respect to share that message with everybody! February 13 is #NationalRespectAnnouncement Day. Download this statement to share at your school, after-school club, or with your sports team. Or, join the Thunderclap to spread the word on social media!.

And if you or anyone you know needs help with getting out of a violent relationship. Check out this safety plan, along with these other resources.