‘Real Love Respects’: The Retreat Helps Pass Along a Message for Teen Relationships

By Michelle Trauring / East Hampton Press Feb 3, 2026 February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about teen dating abuse and promote healthy, respectful relationships among young people. And this year’s theme, “Real Love Respects,” highlights the power of mutual respect as the foundation of safe and healthy […]

February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Real Love Respects

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a time to shine a light on the importance of fostering safe, healthy relationships for young people. The theme for 2026 is “Real Love Respects,” which highlights a powerful truth: mutual respect is the foundation of every healthy relationship. At The Retreat, we’re committed to empowering families […]

Suffolk rolls out multiagency campaign to beat back ‘epidemic’ of human trafficking Suffolk Measure to Fight Human Trafficking

By Joe Werkmeister, Newsday February 6, 2025 Suffolk County officials on Thursday unveiled a new multiagency, coordinated approach to find missing children and curb what they say is an “epidemic” of human trafficking in the county. The initiative, dubbed “Operation Safe and Lasting Return,” brings together law enforcement, social services and community organizations to break down what […]

How to Recognize Abuse Online

Digital communication is a central part of our lives, and experts are seeing a troubling rise in digital abuse within relationships. This type of abuse can take many forms, but two of the most common are cyberstalking and excessive messaging. Recognizing the warning signs is key to protecting yourself. Digital abuse may involve: If any […]

Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence

East Hampton’s The Retreat works on prevention from the ground up. By Jenna Lebovits, The Purist In the ’80s on the East End, talk of domestic violence was hush-hush. Pastors, therapists and school employees offered quiet, underground support. Resources in the region were scarce, yet vital, for abuse survivors, so a grassroots movement began: In […]

Teaching Teens How to Ask for Help

By Christina, a Retreat Volunteer and College Student In light of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the Retreat’s Teen Leadership Council (TLC) received training on how to ask for help when experiencing unhealthy or abusive behaviors in relationships. TLC learned to make a Resilience Plan consisting of three different groups of people–parents/other trusted adults, peers, […]

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