Beyond First Vibe: Red Flags or Rose-Colored Glasses? Spotting Signs and Cultivating Caring Communities

When a relationship is new and exciting, it can be really hard to see what is actually going on. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) workshop helps students identify the early warning signs of unhealthy and controlling relationships — not just the obvious ones, but the subtle stuff that gets explained away or mistaken for passion and care. We’ll look at patterns like love bombing, isolation, jealousy framed as love, and emotional manipulation, and talk honestly about why these behaviors can feel good at first. Students will leave better equipped to trust their gut, check in with themselves, and support a friend who might be missing the signs.

Community event in Ashland, Hanover County, VA 23005.