DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — One in three young people in the United States will experience abuse in a dating relationship. In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Mary Kay Inc. is announcing a new partnership with EverFi, a leading education technology company, to provide a first-of-its-kind digital healthy relationship curriculum to middle school classrooms.
The new digital educational platform will define strategies to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships. Through true-to-life scenarios, students will learn effective communications, conflict resolution and how to identify unhealthy behaviors. The course was developed in partnership with loveisrespect, a project of The Hotline and Break the Cycle and the ultimate resource to empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse. A select group of schools in Austin, Texas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla. will be the first to pilot Mary Kay’s digital program.
“This new partnership with EverFi will help reach young people at a critical age in an effort to end the cycle of abuse before it starts,” said Crayton Webb, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for Mary Kay Inc. “It is our hope at Mary Kay that teens will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to support healthy relationships for themselves and their friends and prevent abusive behavior from taking root.”
EverFi is the leading education technology organization focused on providing proven digital education for wellness and prevention. EverFi is dedicated to ending sexual assault and relationship violence, and is a partner for the White House’s nationwide “It’s On Us” initiative to end campus sexual assault. EverFi currently partners with more than 650 colleges and universities in addressing sexual assault and relationship violence through their leading online prevention platform, Haven – Understanding Sexual AssaultTM.
“Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a call to action on the importance of unique partnerships to reach young people,” said Tammy Wincup, EverFi Chief Operating Officer. “Our collaboration with Mary Kay and loveisrespect, two leading voices in the effort to end dating abuse, demonstrates how critical it is to reach youth about the importance of healthy relationships and how to recognize the key signs of abusive ones.”
Mary Kay has a deep commitment to ending abuse and, alongside The Mary Kay FoundationSM, has given $50 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs. Mary Kay is also the lead sponsor of the nation’s first-ever text-based helpline operated by loveisrespect. By simply texting ‘loveis’ to 22522, teens and young adults are safely and anonymously connected to trained peer advocates who provide support, safety tips and referrals for their own relationships or a friend’s.
“Since partnering with Mary Kay, we have been able to expand our efforts to provide support for teens and young adults on nurturing safe and healthy relationships,” said Cameka Crawford, Chief Communications Officer for loveisrespect. “Now our digital footprint can grow once again as we support the creation of this new curriculum that will help middle school students be a part of the solution to end dating abuse.”
In partnership with loveisrespect, the sixth annual Mary Kay Truth About Abuse Survey explored how Americans’ understanding of domestic violence is changing, and gauged attitudes with respect to this evolving issue. The annual survey is part of Mary Kay’s “Don’t Look Away” campaign which works to educate the public on recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship, how to take action and to raise awareness for support services.
About Mary Kay
Irresistible products. Positive community impact. Rewarding opportunity. For more than 50 years, Mary Kay has offered it all. With 3.5 million Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants and $4 billion in global annual sales, Mary Kay is a top beauty brand and direct seller in more than 35 markets around the world. Discover what there is to love about Mary Kay by connecting with a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant at marykay.com.
About EverFi Inc.
EverFi, Inc. is the education technology innovator that empowers learners with the skills that prepare them to be successful in life and work. With backing from some of technology’s most innovative leaders including Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and Twitter Founder Evan Williams, EverFi has built the most comprehensive critical skills learning platform with a particular focus on health and wellness issues, including sexual assault awareness. The EverFi Education Network is powered by over 1,200 partner organizations across all 50 states and Canada and has certified over 12 million students. Learn more at www.everfi.com.
About loveisrespect.org
Loveisrespect.org is the ultimate source of support, tools and services to help young people prevent and end dating abuse, inspiring them to create a culture of healthy relationships. The 24/7 chat, text and phone crisis services and vast library of information provide young people with options, answers and support every hour of every day. Break the Cycle and the National Dating Abuse Helpline designed the program specifically for young people, emphasizing confidentiality and trust to ensure teens nationwide feel safe and supported – online and off. Find out more at www.loveisrespect.org.
Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
marykay.com/newsroom
972.687.5332 or [email protected]
