Youngsters will learn how to identify and avoid abusive relationships as part of an upcoming event.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, and Alison Crocket, the Deputy Governor are guest speakers at the three-day Student Leadership Camp hosted in partnership with the One Love Foundation, a non-profit organisation educating young people about unhealthy relationships.

The free live event for participants aged between 14 to 22, will be staged at Government House and will be delivered as three half-day workshops from July 12 to 14. Parts of the programme will also be available virtually, connecting young people around the world.

Tammy Richardson-Augustus, local organiser, said: “We are so grateful to both the Governor and Deputy Governor for joining us in this important mission to end relationship violence by educating Bermuda youth about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.”

Ms Richardson-Augustus, a law partner, member of the Bermuda Bar Association, and a Justice of the Peace, added: “I am heartened to see us begin to talk about such a fraught issue that affects us in Bermuda as it does elsewhere. Silence sustains abuse.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one in three women, nearly one in three men, and more than one in two trans or non-binary people will be in an abusive relationship in their lifetimes.

“The statistics are staggering, and global domestic violence incidents grew exponentially during Covid-19 – creating a shadow pandemic,” Ms Richardson-Augustus said.

“Against this backdrop, we must have more constructive conversations to raise awareness, empower people to identify and avoid abuse, and recognise the impact abuse has, not only on adults in relationships and marriages, but on child observers.”

The physical event will be staged from noon to 4.30pm and is open to the first 30 people who register. It includes local presenters and connects participants to One Love Foundation facilitators and students around the world via Zoom.

It includes local and One Love Foundation experts including legal professionals, charity representatives, judiciary and members of the Bermuda Police Service.

The virtual programme runs from 1pm to 4pm and does not include the local component.

Participants will learn about the ten signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, how to identify and avoid abuse, and will gain leadership skills to become youth ambassadors.

To register for the virtual Student Leadership Camp, visit https://www.joinonelove.org/leadership-events/

For more information on the in-person event, contact Ms Richardson-Augustus at trichardsonaugustus@gmail.com

For more information on the One Love Foundation visit https://www.joinonelove.org/ or contact Kiki Yannantuono, marketing and communications manager at kiki.yannantuono@joinonelove.org