2in2u dating abuse awareness campaign: If it feels wrong, it probably is

The Women's Aid 2in2u National Public Awareness Campaign reaches out to young women in dating relationships. Young women don't need to be in a 'domestic' relationship to experience control and abuse. Abuse can happen to any woman, at any age and in any type of relationship, including dating relationships.

The Women's Aid 2in2u campaign highlights the way that a controlling boyfriend's attention can often be overwhelming at the early stages of a relationship, how what felt like positive attention and attentiveness at the beginning of a relationship can slowly turn into more negative, controlling attention as the relationship continues and it becomes more difficult for the woman to break up or to seek help.
Women's Aid experience and national and international research show that young women are at risk from violence and abuse from their boyfriends. In dating relationships violence and abuse are already a feature but are often not recognised as such by the young woman herself, or her friends.

That is why they have put together a Relationship Health Check Quiz at www.2in2u.ie.

Women's Aid say:
"We hope that young women, if informed, might get help before the relationship becomes more established, and it has become harder to leave or get support and that if a young woman is uncomfortable or worried about any aspect of her relationship with her boyfriend, and hears or sees one of our advertisements, she will contact the Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline (1800 341 900) or talk to someone she trusts.

The 2in2u campaign is an integrated radio, print, online, postcard and poster advertising campaign targeting young women aged 18-25 years old. You can listen to our new radio ad here. Download the 2in2u posters here and here. Women's Aid has also developed an awareness raising postcard which you can download here. This postcard is being distributed to 3rd level universities as well as to local community groups and other organisations that young women may access.

If you would like to receive copies of the awareness posters and postcards to display locally, please contact Women's Aid on 01-678 8858 or email us at comms@womensaid.ie and we will send it to you free of charge, while stocks last.

Are you affected by dating abuse? If so, you might like to read our dating abuse section."