As one of the first major corporations in the U.S. to take a stand on this issue, Liz Claiborne Inc. has been leading efforts to end domestic violence since 1991.

For the past five years, the company has strived to address intimate partner abuse at its root cause, concentrating on teen dating abuse and violence. Current initiatives include the development of the Love Is Not Abuse curriculum – a 3-day course for 8th, 9th or 10th graders aimed at increasing students’ and teachers’ understanding of teen dating abuse and providing resources for help. The curriculum led directly to the establishment of the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, loveisrespect.org in February 2007, which offers support, information and advocacy to those involved in dating abuse relationships as well as concerned friends, parents, teachers, clergy, law enforcement, and service providers.

Seeking to help parents take a more proactive role in preparing their teens for relationships, in 2008 Liz Claiborne Inc. launched MADE: Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse as part of its expanding efforts. MADE is a growing coalition of parents, teachers and concerned citizens who are advocating for teen dating abuse education in every middle school and high school in the country. MADE was inspired by dedicated and courageous parents whose children were victims of teen dating abuse and violence, and who want to ensure that no one else’s child becomes a victim.

According to a 2008 survey, sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc., teen dating violence and abuse is a growing epidemic:

Nearly half of teen girls who have been in a relationship say they have been victims of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by their boyfriends. Even more alarming is the fact that this abuse is starting in tweens (11 – 14 year-olds). Finally, the survey shows that parents may not be aware of their own tweens dating relationships, even though they believe they are. Findings show that more than three times as many tweens (20%) as parents (6%) admit that parents know little or nothing about the tweens’ dating relationships. In fact, twice as many tweens report having “hooked up” with a partner (17%) as parents reported of their own 11-14 year old child (8%).

MADE has partnered with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to introduce legislation mandating teen dating violence education in middle and high schools across the country. Both associations have passed national resolutions and continue to work with Liz Claiborne Inc. and MADE members on their efforts.