Break the Cycle

Break the Cycle provides honest, practical help and information for teens and young adults. From learning the warning signs of abuse to safety planning to navigating the legal system, we give young people the tools they need to live safer, healthier lives.

Break the Cycle inspires and supports young people in building a culture of healthy relationships. We’re guided by our Let's Be Real movement enthusiastic, committed young people located nationally taking action to ending dating abuse.

Break the Cycle believes that knowledge is power. Our experts train adults across the country on how to promote healthy youth relationships and serve young survivors in their community. From law enforcement officers, attorneys, and government officials to educators, counselors, parents, and advocates, we work with individuals and institutions that ensure young people have the resources they need to build healthy relationships and address abusive ones.

Break the Cycle helps young people experiencing abuse in a relationship navigate the justice system and find safety. We offer free legal representation to young victims of abuse in Washington DC. Clients must be 12 to 24 years old, living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and experiencing abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse and could use legal counsel, contact our legal services program at 202.824.0707 or legalservices@breakthecycle.org.

Break the Cycle has been at the forefront of major nationwide policy changes to better protect the rights and promote the health of young people. Our team works at the local, state and federal levels to help ensure young people have resources they need to get out of abusive relationships. We sponsor a growing national grassroots coalition of parents, teachers and advocates known as Love Is Not Abuse whose mission is to implement dating violence education and policies in their communities.

Having helped establish February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month (Teen DV Month), we run www.teenDVmonth.org, the online hub for all national activities and promotion of Teen DV Month. The website offers resources for youth, adults and communities that want to plan awareness-raising activities in February, as well as hosting Break the Cycle Teen DV Month's annual campaigns.