Go to A Thin Line’s Over the Line? and join the conversation now!

AThinLine.Org has also announced the top 3 finalists of the “Redraw the Line” challenge. This challenge, which kicked off last year, asked youth to submit ideas on how we can use technology to stop and prevent digital abuse. Lots of great ideas were submitted from across the country. The top three finalists have now been selected and it’s up to voters to decide who has the winning idea (and solution) to make a difference. The winner will be funded with up to $75,000 to help develop their project.

Voting ends March 28th so visit the website to make your vote count!

Healthy relationships are based on mutual honesty, trust, respect and open communication. If one partner goes through the other’s things, especially without their knowledge or consent, that is not okay and the relationship is likely unhealthy. Invasion of privacy is also illegal. Each person must determine for themselves what they are comfortable with and what level of privacy they want in their relationships. And it’s important to communicate this decision to one’s boyfriend or girlfriend. If that is not respected, something is not right. Read about building healthy relationships here.

Depending on what’s happening in the relationship, these types of behaviors can be a warning sign that your relationship is headed in the wrong direction. It’s important to address it right away before things become worse. Find out more about warning signs here.

And don’t forget to take our quiz to find out if your relationship is as healthy as you deserve.

What People Are Saying

“I’ve learned that it’s important to talk to each other. A lot of times there are disagreements or misunderstandings because people are not clear with each other. I think if you’re open and honest with the other person , you both know what you want and expect from each other. This makes everything easier as you continue to move forward in your relationship.” – Anonymous

*Comments and opinions displayed on this post do not necessarily reflect those of Break the Cycle.

Rebecca Layson, just 17-years-old, was spending time with her friends on Thursday, February 11th. But she never came home. She was found dead the next day at a nearby park. The police arrested her boyfriend and his friend for the murder.

This terrible tragedy, and the many youth who report being victims of abuse, remind us how much work we have ahead of us to end and prevent dating violence. And it’s something we can all do together.

Whether it’s raising awareness at your school about dating violence, telling a friend how to recognize the warning signs, encouraging someone to get help for their abusive behavior or writing a letter to state legislators to increase the protections of youth and adding dating violence awareness to the school curriculum, there is something you can do. There is something we can all do.

Start now. Find out more information about dating abuse, ways to get involved and how you can reach out to others who need help.

So whether or not you’re out and about celebrating Valentine’s Day, make the time this Sunday to watch this very important look into the latest of teen culture. Tune in to MTV on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 9pm ET/PT. Click here to learn more about this news special.

And don’t forget that all February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month. Celebrate your healthy relationship this Valentine’s Day by helping us raise awareness. Visit our website to see the different ways you can give love AND send an important message.

- California, 16

Calling someone names in order to humiliate them, put them down, or lower their self-esteem is abusive behavior. Often people will say hurtful things to each other, and technically that behavior is abusive. However, there are many factors involved in determining whether the abusive behavior means you are in an abusive relationship. These factors include how often and how serious the verbal abuse is, the specifics and intent of what is being said, the context in which it is said and the effect it has on the victim.

Take this quiz to find out if your relationship is as healthy as you deserve.

You can also learn about the different types of abuse, including verbal abuse, here.

What People Are Saying

“I was lucky and knew the early signs of domestic abuse and I got out quickly. It wasn’t easy, but I feel so much better about myself now. I’m trying to warn my friends about the signs of abuse, and I want to spread the word around my entire school. Love doesn’t mean fear.” – New Jersey, 17

“i wasn’t aware of how bad they could get, until last december right before school let out for our winter break. I now know that it could happen to anyone. we are not alone. We can all break the cycle. right after he abused me, I ended it, i told him that i would not stand there and take his abuse. I thank the lord who gave me courage to end it. STAND UP, BE HEARD!” – Tennessee, 15

“At first, I didn’t think much of his behavior. He would say it just showed how much he loved me. Though, after a while it got worse and I knew if i didn’t leave, it was possible I’d get hurt badly. It took a lot of effort, but I ended the relationship. I’m proud of myself for standing up for myself. Since then, I’ve made sure that everyone I know and care about is aware of the signs and more. There is help always available; no one deserves to be abused.” – Texas, 17

“My Children are grown up now but i am sure that things havent changed much kind of like a pattern in life with teens. I am a mother who raised her 2 children by herself and witnessed my daughter being abused by her boyfriend. My daughter was about 15 boyfriend i dont know his age but pretty close to my daughters. This boy wanted my daughter to sit in the middle of the street right where cars would not see her till they hit her. Several times i witness this and no matter what i did ( picking her up when i seen her sitting there)or talked with her nothing seemed to help. I now want this law changed. its bad enough that it took so long for the government to change the domestic violence act for adults, i think our children need action now and as a right as a parent i demand that my children and ever other parents children be protected better or if not the same as domestic violence. This is a very serious issue and i dont know why its taken the government so long to protect our ch ildren Thank you.” – New York, 50

“I was in an abusive relationship that lasted for almost two years. It started out perfect. He was the perfect guy and I thought we were in love. Well, five months of dating and things started going down hill. We were always fighting. But we always made up. ONe night, the fight got so bad that he punched me and gave me a black eye. I told everyone I got into a fight. The abuse started to get worse and worse. I was in the hospital a few times. Everytime I tried to get out of that relationship he would hit me over and over again. The next day he’d apologize and say how much he loved me and I bought it. Finally, After my third time of being in the hospital, me and my closest friend told him it’s over. That was the last time I saw him. We all need to be sure to get out of these kind of relaionships as fast as we can. Don’t let your boyfriend/girlfriend keep hurting you. Emotionally nor physically.” – Oklahoma, 15

*Comments and opinions displayed on this post do not necessarily reflect those of Break the Cycle.

There are different ways you can get involved this month, from wearing a heart on your sleeve, to sending a health-e relationship card, to writing a letter, to reaching out to your entire student body. Whatever your time and ability, there is something you can do.

So whether you’re a teen, adult, parent or teacher, we want you to Have a Heart and join us on our cross-country campaign to bring awareness to this important cause. Many people have already signed up and committed to bringing this message to thousands of teens across the nation. Join Have a Heart and help make our voices louder and our hearts stronger!