I Love "Love Is Respect" -- With One Caveat

This year’s Webby Awards were recently announced, and a terrific website, Love Is Respect [1], was the winner in the activist category. It’s a beautiful website, very easy to use with great information. Take a look at the first steps — they’re very clearly written:

• Talk to a friend. If you haven’t already told a friend about what’s happening in your relationship, try it. Ask them to listen without trying to solve the problem for you.

• Try taking a break. If you’re not happy with the way you’re being treated, but you’re not sure what to do, consider taking some time alone to think about it.

• Consider talking to an adult. If you feel your situation is too big to handle alone, it may help to find an adult you trust. If it isn’t a parent — try a teacher, the parent of a friend, or even a counselor.

• If you don’t feel safe, try to not be alone with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Even if you’re not ready to make any major decisions about your relationship, if you feel scared when you’re alone together, try to avoid it. Spend time in groups and in public as much as possible.

My favorite feature is the instant chat that is available from 4 to midnight central time.

But, I have a problem with the site. Other than the hotline number (1-866-331-9474) and a media person who is listed in the Who We Are [2], I can’t figure out who they are. Why isn’t there a staff and board list on the site? Or if this isn’t a stand-alone organization, who they are affiliated with?

The site is very respectful of the privacy needs of teens in abuse, or potentially abuse, relationships, but it would be much more comforting to see real people on the site, with their pictures and email addresses. I just spoke to Lisa Waddell, their media person, and asked her to comment on this issue. Maybe there is some safety issue here I don’t yet understand. I hope so, because the rest of the site is amazing!