Hosted by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Tweet Chat was well-attended and revealed winners of the organization's #KNOWwhatloveis Instagram contest; cash prizes were awarded to the top three photo submissions illustrating what healthy love is

[Providence, RI – February 26, 2014] In an effort to engage youth throughout Rhode Island in a conversation about healthy relationships, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) hosted a statewide Tweet Chat yesterday, February 25, from 4-5 p.m. Discussions about healthy relationship behaviors and warning signs of unhealthy relationships equipped young people with the skills they need to identify abusive situations. Local students participated, including those from Rhode Island high schools, youth groups like Young Voices (creators of this year's Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Public Service Announcement), and colleges, including the Johnson & Wales Gender Equity Center, who hosted the Tweet Chat for a second time. These young people, and other RICADV partners in the movement to end dating and domestic violence, took to Twitter to raise awareness about relationship abuse and define what healthy love is for their communities.

Rhode Island youth also shared depictions of healthy love in February through the RICADV's #KNOWwhatloveis Instagram contest. The Tweet Chat served as a forum for announcing the contest winners and honorable mentions. Having asked Rhode Islanders between the ages of 12 and 24 to illustrate what healthy love is to them via Instagram photo submissions, the RICADV, its Public Awareness Working Group (PAWG; comprised of member agency representatives – see below for a list of the RICADV's six member agencies), and its task force of dating and domestic violence survivors, SOAR (Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships), selected three winning photos out of almost 200 submissions.

Each winning entry clearly conveyed a healthy relationship through the unique perspective of the contest participant. The first place photo and $250 grand prize winner represented the importance of exemplifying healthy love for one's family and being a healthy relationship role model for the next generation. The second place $150-winning entry, a recreation of a popular meme, conveyed that "love is caring even when you're angry," respectful even when you disagree. The third place submission and $100 winner depicted that former partners can still have a healthy relationship even if they're no longer together and that setting this example for one's family has a significant impact on children's understanding of healthy love. All three winning photos illustrate that while healthy relationships require work, take many forms, and can stem from a variety of situations, the constant between all of them is a shared respect and care for the well-being of those involved. The RICADV's Instagram Contest honorable mentions and other top photos can be viewed on the organization's website. 

The #NOMORERI Tweet Chat and #KNOWwhatloveis Instagram Contest were part of the RICADV's ongoing digital strategy to reach youth where they spend a lot of their free time – online. Digital dating violence, including abuse perpetrated via social media platforms, is increasingly common among youth in Rhode Island. It is important to teach young people how these tools can be used in harmful ways but also how these technologies can help challenge abusive behaviors if they are used to promote healthy relationships instead.

Throughout February, the RICADV asked young people to become active bystanders in a variety of ways, expressing the importance of getting educated about dating violence, its warning signs, and healthy relationships. Earlier in the month, the RICADV launched a new youth section of their website and also debuted a broadcast PSA created by Young Voices and made possible, in part, by RICADV sponsor Alliance Security. Using such tools, the RICADV has been able to offer information to young people living in the digital age. This year's campaign focused on outlining tangible ways they can take action to help prevent dating abuse before it starts and to safely intervene in abusive situations they see occurring.

"It's understandable for a young person to be afraid to get involved. They may think it's none of their business, they may fear getting hurt themselves and, in many cases, they may not even know what a healthy relationship looks like in order to know abuse when they see it. It's not healthy for a partner to demand to check your phone or to check up on you constantly. These are controlling behaviors, and they're warning signs of dating violence," said Lucy Rios, Director of Prevention and Public Education for the RICADV.

Through its digital campaign strategy, the RICADV aims to educate young Rhode Islanders of their own power to help end and prevent dating and domestic violence in Rhode Island. The community needs its young people to become active bystanders who KNOW what to do. It is the hope of the RICADV, PAWG, and SOAR that youth throughout the state will become empowered by these digital initiatives to take action within their own social circles if they see, hear or learn about abuse.

To support dating violence prevention, individuals can text NOMORE to 80880 to give.

About the RICADV:The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. The RICADV was formed in 1979 to support and assist the six domestic violence prevention agencies in Rhode Island. The organization also provides leadership to its six member agencies, strives to create justice for victims, and raises awareness on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

The RICADV's member agencies provide a wide array of services for victims – including 24 hour hotline support, emergency shelter, support groups, counseling services, and assistance with the legal system. For more information about these organizations and services, call the statewide Helpline at 800-494-8100. And if you hear or see someone being hurt, call 911 immediately.

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Regarding the Domestic Violence Death of Catherine Salvi

Statement by Vanessa Volz, Executive Director of Sojourner House, and Deborah DeBare, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 6, 2014

CONTACT: Cristina Williams at RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729; cristina@ricadv.org; www.ricadv.org; Facebook.com/RICADV; Twitter @RICADV

"We are very saddened today to learn of the death of Catherine Salvi, beloved daughter, mother of a two-year-old son, family member and friend to many in her Woonsocket community. Our hearts go out to all those affected at this time with hope that they find solace in one another in the aftermath of this tragedy."

"Catherine's death is the result of a domestic violence incident that happened on December 13, 2013 and is the first domestic violence-related death of 2014 in Rhode Island. Catherine was brutally assaulted by Emmanuel Algaria, her live-in boyfriend and father of her son, according to police. She struggled to survive in the weeks after the assault but ultimately never awoke from a coma."

"This tragedy is a stark reminder that domestic violence happens in every community and that no individual or family is immune. It is especially important for community members to understand the warning signs, even if they are not obvious and even if they are not initially physical. Early warning signs of domestic abuse can include extreme jealousy, forced isolation, blaming, controlling, and condescending language or behavior."

"Some examples of an abusive partner include someone who:

• Wants to know where his/her partner is all of the time and incessantly calls, emails and texts his/her partner.
• Is excessively jealous and accuses his/her partner of having affairs.
• Insists that his/her partner stop spending time with friends and family or on other activities.

For additional red flags, visit http://nnedv.org/resources/stats/gethelp/redflagsofabuse.html [National Network to End Domestic Violence."

"It is also important to understand that domestic violence is not one physical or isolated act of violence; it consists of a multitude of controlling behaviors that can ultimately escalate into physical violence. It is vital for each of us to know the signs of abuse so that we can prevent violence from happening before it starts. Catherine's murder illustrates that, even in families with no recorded history of abuse, domestic violence can be perpetrated every day behind closed doors by abusers who seek to control their partners. Murder is often the final act of abuse. (Learn about the power and control dynamics in abusive relationships here: http://www.ricadv.org/en/resources/other-resources/132-violence-wheel)."

"We must come together and, through our actions, change what is considered normal or accepted behavior in relationships. Every Rhode Islander has a role to play in the prevention of domestic violence, and we are committed to helping others KNOW MORE to DO MORE. The lives of many of our loved ones are depending on it—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30 percent of women in Rhode Island and 20 percent of men have suffered domestic abuse at some point during their lifetimes, yet only a small number have sought services."

"As we work to enhance domestic violence prevention and eradicate domestic violence in our communities, education will play a vital role in helping community members learn about the many forms of domestic abuse that exist, the warning signs, and how to help victims of domestic violence, especially those who do not seek support from agencies. As a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor, you will usually be the first person to learn of abuse, and it is important to remember that even the smallest step can save someone's life."

"We must take action now. Catherine's murder and the countless domestic violence incidents that happen in Rhode Island and every state each and every day are part of a public health crisis. The high statewide incidence of domestic violence assaults and people seeking services show us that domestic abuse is happening in Rhode Island—but the good news is that it is preventable through community involvement. We can create communities that are free of domestic violence by knowing what to look for and instituting support systems within our network of families, friends, colleagues and neighbors. To prevent another tragedy, we all must make a commitment to say NO MORE; together we can end domestic violence."

Rhode Island Domestic Violence Resources: 

"Sojourner House, located in Providence and Woonsocket, has been providing programs and services to the communities it serves for over 35 years. The agency is part of the RICADV and offers 24-hour daily support to victims of abuse, including support groups, emergency shelter, transitional housing, sexual health advocacy, emotional support, counseling, referrals to over 50 other community partners providing additional assistance, and more."