In response to recent reports of dating abuse, Kappa Delta Sorority joined forces with the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and loveisrespect, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, to launch an awareness campaign called, “Friends Say the Tough Stuff…So Say It.” The campaign encourages friends to offer support, advice and intervention when they believe a friend is in an unhealthy relationship. All 140 collegiate Kappa Delta chapters will host awareness campaigns during the month of September in recognition of National Women’s Friendship Month, a celebration Kappa Delta created 11 years ago.

“College should be fun and a place to develop and nurture healthy relationships, yet young women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of relationship violence,” said Dyanne Purcell, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “Loveisresepct is proud to partner with Kappa Delta to raise awareness of relationship violence on college campuses and the power of friendship to impact the life of someone being abused.”

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline:

• One in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked or physically hurt by his/her partner.
• On the average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day.
• 92% of women say that reducing domestic violence and sexual assault should be at the top of any formal efforts taken on behalf of women today.

Kappa Delta Sorority created National Women’s Friendship Month to encourage women everywhere to celebrate the special bonds of friendship. For more information, visit www.womensfriendshipmonth.com. For more information on dating abuse, visit www.loveisrespect.org or www.ndvh.org.

Click here to download the "So Say It" poster.