When you teach sex education (and maybe even when you teach other topics), the subject of abuse within relationships is likely to come up. Abuse is also sometimes called Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and unfortunately, it’s common: it affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the U.S.

Even students who haven’t experienced abuse directly know that it happens. They hear stories and see abusive relationships depicted in movies and TV, and some see it firsthand in their homes and communities. They want to know what’s normal, what’s not, and what they can do to help themselves or someone they care about.

Check out this U Choose to Know resource for a few key things to keep in mind so you can be ready to talk about relationships.