Teen Breakup Violence, Part 1

Content Warning: Today’s episode is the first in a two-part series on teen relationship violence. It may be difficult for some of our listeners.

Romantic relationships are a critically important part of life for teenagers. In fact, one of the most common reasons for emotional struggles in high school and college are breakups with friends or romantic partners. We all know that breakups can be emotionally distressing for teens, but we don’t often talk about how they can also be emotionally or physically violent. Somehow, it feels easier to talk about the sadness or loneliness that can follow a breakup. But violence needs to be part of the conversation, too.

Today, Gene and Khadijah welcome a very special guest, Mary Dunne, to help us start this difficult conversation. Mary’s daughter, Lauren Dunne Astley, an 18-year-old young woman who had just graduated high school, died on July 3, 2011 at the hands of her former boyfriend. She was a victim of breakup violence. Since then, through the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund, Mary has worked to promote dynamic educational programs, particularly those in the areas of the development of healthy teen relationships, the arts, and community service.

In today’s episode, Mary helps us to better understand the complexities of breakup violence, and what we can all be doing – parents, teachers, peers – to be “upstanders” in our communities to help prevent it.

Thank you for joining in this conversation. If you have a question or something you would like to share related to healthy teen relationships or teen relationship violence, please write to us.

Media List

The list below includes resources on understanding and preventing teen relationship violence.

• Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund (LDAMF Official website)
• The time is always right to do what is right (LDA Memorial Fund, Instagram)
• Escaping Breakup and Relationship Violence (LDAMF Foundation, YouTube)
• Breakup Violence: Resources for Teens and Parents (48 Hours)
• State-by-State Statistics on Domestic Violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
• Teen Dating Violence Can Lead To Homicide – And Girls Are The Most Common Victims (NPR)
• “You would do it if you loved me.” Teens, Coercive Relationships, and Digital Media (MGH Clay Center)
• Kids at Risk for Violence: Warning Signs of Aggression (MGH Clay Center)
• Should we break up? (love is respect)
• The Trauma Felt In Teenage Breakups (MGH Clay Center)
• One Love Relationship Education (One Love Foundation)
• Be An Upstander – What Can You Do? (i am courageous)

Music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

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