Kendrick Sledge was a freshman in high school when her boyfriend verbally, physically and emotionally abused her. Five years later, the Boston University College of Arts and Sciences sophomore is speaking out to educate teens about dating abuse.
Sledge works with Liz Claiborne Inc.’s Love Is Not Abuse — a national teen dating education program reaching students in 39 states — and talks with high school students, teachers and administration officials about teen dating abuse and its warning signs.
Having been abused by her boyfriend in high school, Sledge said she realizes the importance of her involvement and wants to spread more awareness on the growing issue.
Sledge encountered the Love Is Not Abuse program this academic school year while looking for initiatives to help stop teen dating abuse.
“I was glad when I found an organization I could spread awareness with, and [I] am so happy that the cause is getting national attention and that there is now a link specifically for this issue, because it never existed before,” she said.
Thirteen percent of teenage girls who said they have been in a relationship report being physically hurt or hit during it, according a 2005 Liz Claiborne Inc. teen dating abuse survey.
Love Is Not Abuse was the first group specifically dedicated to teens impacted by the issue, Sledge said.
“I think the best way to avoid teen dating abuse is through education, which is one of the reasons that having Love Is Not Abuse is really important, because the more you educate people about this problem, the more people recognize it before it becomes serious,” she said.
Dana Stambaugh, corporate communications director for Liz Claiborne Inc., said Kendrick’s personal experiences make more people recognize how teen dating abuse can happen to anyone.
“It’s great to have people like Kendrick out there to help teens know that they’re not alone,” she said. “She is taking that initiative, and it’s been really great so far.”
Stambaugh and Liz Claiborne Inc. have addressed teen dating abuse since 1991 when they launched Love Is Not Abuse. They have since launched Loveisrespect.org, a teen dating abuse website that works with the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline.
Open 24 hours a day, the hotline offers trained peer volunteers between the ages of 16 to 24 to provide victims’ advocacy advice and offer counseling advice. The hotline’s services are available for teenagers and parents concerned about their children’s relationships.
While the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline focuses on counseling, Sledge said she works toward prevention.
“If I had been learning all this stuff about teen dating violence and the warning signs for it, it might have struck a chord with me,” she said. “Instead of thinking [my boyfriend’s jealousy and over-protectiveness] was cute, it might have made a difference. We just need to get the word out there and get the education out there.”
Through education, Love Is Not Abuse eventually hopes to “end domestic violence in this country,” Stambaugh said.
“Obviously, that’s a long-term and very lofty goal, but we’re trying to chip away at it,” she said. “We’re hoping that by educating people and getting the world out there that we’re moving in that direction.”
Sledge said Love Is Not Abuse and Loveisrespect.org have worked toward that goal because it shows students they are not alone.
“You can call 24 hours a day or go online for a live chat,” Sledge said. “If you’re not comfortable speaking to someone, you can just find information. I didn’t have that five years ago.
“There was nothing like this out there,” she continued. “I’m very hopeful and happy that we are now finally starting to have these resources because I really think they are going to make a huge difference in so many people’s lives.”