When I reflect on the five generations of women in my family, I see a tragic pattern—a cycle of intimate partner violence that has repeated itself for far too long. Each generation endured this trauma, silently trapped in a vicious cycle that no one knew how to escape. For nearly 18 years, I’ve dedicated myself to breaking that cycle and helping others do the same. Today, the solution is clearer than ever before: education is prevention, and it only takes 11 minutes to start.
The Only 11 Minutes Campaign: More Than Awareness, It’s Action
The Only 11 Minutes campaign goes beyond raising awareness about domestic violence. In just 11 minutes, anyone can begin educating themselves about healthy relationships, gaining the tools needed to recognize the signs of intimate partner abuse. This simple yet powerful action can rewrite the story of relationship violence for future generations.
The idea for Only 11 Minutes isn’t just rooted in advocacy—it comes from my personal experience. As a survivor of five generations of intimate partner violence, I know firsthand how deeply these cycles run. The first time I truly understood what this meant was when I looked at my mother and grandmother, realizing their stories weren’t unique. They were part of a larger narrative of women and girls suffering in silence, with little knowledge of what a healthy relationship looks like.
Education is the Key to Prevention
For nearly two decades, I’ve worked tirelessly to break this cycle for myself, my family, and countless others trapped in similar situations. Over these years, I’ve come to a critical realization: if we had known better, things could have been different. Had we been educated about healthy relationship dynamics, boundaries, and respect, much of the violence could have been prevented.
But let me be clear: this isn’t about a lengthy process that takes years to understand. It’s about a quick, focused 11-minute moment that can literally change someone’s life. That’s how the Only 11 Minutes initiative was born.
Why Only 11 Minutes?
You might be wondering, why 11 minutes? Because that’s all it takes to plant the seed of knowledge that can grow into a life-saving understanding of what a healthy relationship should be. In just 11 minutes, you can learn to recognize the warning signs of intimate partner violence—from emotional abuse to physical threats—and begin taking steps to protect yourself or someone you love.
I’ve dedicated the last 18 years to building this campaign because I know firsthand that education is the key to preventing domestic violence. The harsh truth is that intimate partner violence isn’t just an individual issue—it’s a public health crisis. It affects families, entire communities, and generations to come. And perhaps the most tragic part? It’s preventable.
We All Have the Power to Stop Intimate Partner Violence
For years, like many others, I believed that we were powerless in the face of something as pervasive as domestic abuse. But now I know that we can stop it—one educated person at a time. Imagine if every person took just 11 minutes out of their day to learn about the signs of relationship abuse, educating themselves and others. We could create a ripple effect that would impact not only individual lives but entire communities.
I remember the moment when the weight of my family’s legacy hit me the hardest. I was speaking with a young girl, barely 14, who was experiencing the same kind of abuse that my mother and grandmother endured. In her eyes, I saw myself—fearful, confused, and unaware that life didn’t have to be like this. That’s when I realized: education is prevention, and it must start now.
The Goal of Only 11 Minutes: Education for Everyone
The Only 11 Minutes campaign is simple: to educate youth, families, and grassroots communities about healthy relationships. We focus on the key signs of intimate partner violence, what to watch for, and how to take action before it’s too late. The beauty of this campaign is in its accessibility. You don’t need to be an expert. All you need is 11 minutes to make a difference in your life or someone else’s.
It might sound too simple, but that’s the power of it. It only takes 11 minutes to change the trajectory of intimate partner violence in your life and your community. We need to stop thinking of this issue as something distant, something that only happens to others. The truth is, intimate partner violence affects us all—whether directly or indirectly. And it’s up to us to get educated to prevent it from happening.
Take Action: Get Educated and Save Lives
I’m asking you to join me in this fight. Get educated. It takes just 11 minutes to learn about intimate partner violence and how you can prevent it. Share this knowledge with others. It’s a small step that can lead to monumental change.
If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation of just $11 to support the Only 11 Minutes campaign. That $11 could help save a life—possibly even your own. Every donation goes directly toward providing critical education and resources to those who need it most.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s take action today. It only takes 11 minutes. Will you join me?
Click here to learn more and get educated: Get Educated.
Together, we can break the cycle. Together, we can save lives.