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10 things you can do to stop intimate partner violence

1. Educate yourself. Learn more about intimate partner violence, including the red flags and warning signals of abusive behaviour. Take an active role in distinguishing between healthy relationships and unhealthy ones.  

2. Be the change. Analyse your attitudes and behaviours towards your intimate partner. Many of us learn from unhealthy examples; for instance, we may believe jealousy symbolises affection, or monitoring who your partner talks to and how often is a sign you care. In a healthy relationship, trust is the foundation. 

3. Lead by example in your immediate community-- especially for those younger than you.  If your actions demonstrate that you care about creating relationships based on respect, they will care too.  

4. Think about the language you use that may promote abusive behaviour and attitudes.  This includes sayings like "wife beaters" or "bitch-slap". Start by removing such language from your own vocabulary. This will help you feel more comfortable calling other people on it in the future. 

5. Both men and women can be victims of intimate partner violence. And either can be the abuser. To end this epidemic we need both men an women to work together. 

6. Speak out. If someone you know exhibits abusive tendencies, tell them! Help them take responsibility for how they treat others and join the community effort to stop the violence. 

7. Be an ally. If you suspect that someone close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, reach out to them. Gently ask if you can help. Let him or her know that they are not alone and that it is NOT THEIR FAULT. Offer your support and assistance if they choose to access services in the community.  

8. Commit to ending the violence. Find out what is happening in your community to end intimate partner violence. Support others working to end violence by attending events and/or volunteering.  

9. Think globally. Relationship violence is a social disease of epidemic proportions throughout the world. Learn about how the problem affects various cultures in different ways. 

10. Stay connected. Because intimate partner violence is a cultural problem, it will require a cultural shift to affect change. Wherever you find yourself on the spectrum of healthy relationships, connect yourself to a network that is committed to social change.