Last week, schools in the South Eastern region of Northern Ireland joined forces with radio station Cool FM to make advertisements highlighting domestic abuse and abuse.
Students from Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, De La Salle High School in Downpatrick, and Lisnagarvey High School in Lisburn put together the ads, aimed at young adults and teenagers in abusive and unhealthy relationships.
The ‘Bad Romance’ initiative, run by the South Eastern domestic abuse Partnership, targets young people who may not realise that they are in an abusive relationship. It also promotes The Hideout, a website specifically for young people who are either in an abusive relationship or affected by domestic abuse at home.
Check out the CoolFM ads
If your boyfriend or girlfriend prevents you from socialising with other friends, restricts who you can call or talk to, monitors your mobile phone and social network activity, or puts you down or insults you, you could be in an abusive relationship.
Get support at http://thehideout.org.uk, or get in touch with the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline. Freephone on 0808 802 1414, email us at 24hrsupport@dvhelpline.org, or text SUPPORT to 07797 805 839.
The 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline is open to all women and men affected by domestic abuse 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it’s completely anonymous.