Melinda's Story

As a 23-year-old African American female college student from Fayetteville, North Carolina, I've witnessed firsthand the impact of teen dating violence in my community. Growing up in a low-income single-parent household, I've seen how limited resources and cultural norms can perpetuate cycles of abuse.I've watched friends and family members tolerate violence in their relationships, often due to a lack of awareness about healthy relationships and support services. As the youngest daughter in my family, I've learned from my experiences and now feel compelled to share my perspective.