UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The statistics regarding relationship abuse are startling — 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be in an abusive relationship in his or her lifetime, and the 16 to 24 age group is three times more likely to be in an abusive relationship than any other age group.

That's why the Gender Equity Center and Residence Life, units of Penn State Student Affairs, are joining forces to sponsor Escalation, a powerful, film-based workshop from the One Love Foundation that opens eyes to the warning signs of relationship abuse. The workshop, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, in Freeman Auditorium in the HUB-Robeson Center.

The workshop will consist of a film, "Escalation," followed by a guided discussion led by a trained facilitator from the Gender Equity Center. Content also will delve into the intersections of stalking and relationship abuse.

“What many people don’t realize is stalking is often a component of relationship violence and sometimes sexual violence,” said Jennifer Pencek, programming coordinator in the Gender Equity Center. “With January serving as National Stalking Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight the prevalence and connection between these crimes. Learning about stalking and relationship abuse provides opportunities for all of us to challenge misperceptions and work together in prevention efforts.”

Founded in 2010 to honor Yeardley Love, the One Love Foundation works to ensure everyone understands the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship and aims to change statistics around relationship abuse one conversation at a time.

Learn more about the Gender Equity Center and its extensive programming and services at studentaffairs.psu.edu/genderequity.