Love is Not Abuse: Liz Claiborne Hosts "It's Time To Talk Day"

Talking about teen dating abuse only happen when a celebrity survivor speaks out. Today an array of advocates, domestic violence experts, legislators, corporate leaders and celebrities met at the offices of Liz Claiborne, Inc. in order to participate in a nationwide dialogue during the seventh annual “It’s Time to Talk Day” today.

Throughout the day, 80 guests provided advice on how victims of domestic abuse can get help and how supporters can stay involved. Some noteworthy faces speaking their mind about the painful subject include:

Tim Gunn, mentor of Project Runway and Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc.
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch (who also helped implement the first mandatory statewide dating violence training for young adults in the nation)
Yolanda Jimenez, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence
President and co-founder of the New Agenda (an organization designed to improve the lives of women and girls) Amy Siskind

To kick off the event, Today Show host (who you know from braving the cold every Thanksgiving Day for the Macy's Parade) Meredith Viera emceed a screening of “Telling Amy’s Story”. The documentary, which follows the death of Amy Homan McGee in 2001 due to domestic violence, is narrated by Law and Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay and has been aired on over 300 public television stations in the states. Hargitay is a huge supporter of the fight to end domestic violence, starting the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, helping over 5,000 survivors rebuild their lives along the way.

Liz Claiborne also announced the expansion of its “Love is Not Abuse” dating violence program to colleges across the nation. Already launching a successful high school program of the same name, the curriculum is taught in over 10,000 schools. The higher education edition is the first of its kind anywhere. In a press release, Senior VP of Corporate Communications and Brand Services at Liz Claiborne, Inc. Jane Randel said, “It is our hope that the Love is Not Abuse college curriculum will play a significant role in transforming the way colleges and universities across the country view, handle and educate about dating violence and abuse.” The program will include lessons on dangers and warning signs of dating violence and abuse through technological means, and provide resources on where students can go to find help on their campus.

41% of high school freshman and seniors experience abusive dating behaviors in their own love lives. Most aren’t even aware of neither how to decipher that it’s dating abuse nor how to get out of their toxic relationship. Help out those that are suffering in any way possible, so they don’t continue to suffer.