Yves Saint Laurent commits to funding academic research, training its employees, and educating 2 million people by 2030 on Intimate Partner Violence through partnerships with non-profits
In the lead-up to the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 Nov 2020, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty has launched Abuse is Not Love, a new global program aimed at helping to combat Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) by supporting the prevention programs of its non-profit partners.
IPV is a major societal issue: approximately 1 in 3 women will experience Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetime and only a small proportion of survivors will obtain justice.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is one of the most common forms of violence against women and includes physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse, as well as controlling behaviours by an intimate partner. In the United States, the United Kingdom and France, one woman is killed by her partner every three days.
Globally, more than 600 million women are living in a country where Intimate Partner Violence is not considered a crime. Intimate Partner Violence affects individuals from all socioeconomic, religious, and cultural groups; however, women are most at risk, with the highest rates seen amongst young adults aged 16-24.
Intimate Partner Violence prevalence rates have increased by 30 to 60 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many women have been living in lockdown with an abusive partner and have been unable to seek support from expert organisations, friends, loved ones and colleagues.
Research shows that IPV comes with key warning signs. If these signs can be detected earlier, we may be able to recognise it better and seek or offer help. YSL Beauty aims to do its part in raising awareness of these common signs.
Abuse is Not Love is built around three key pillars: funding academic research on the topic to develop thought-leadership around youth and prevention; educating 2 million people on the common signs of IPV through international partnerships, and training YSL Beauty employees and beauty advisors on Intimate Partner Violence in the workplace.
“Supporting women, especially when it comes to their independence, is central to the way the brand acts. Intimate Partner Violence hinders the safety, wellbeing and independence of women,” says Stephan Bezy, International General Manager, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty. “It, therefore, felt very natural to work on an issue that stood in opposition to our core values and beliefs.”
Abuse is Not Love has launched as a global program with 3 key partnerships in 2020: En Avant Toute(s) in France, Women’s Aid in the UK, and It’s On Us in the US, with more partnerships coming in 2021 in other countries.
Through these partnerships, YSL Beauty aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of IPV in order to contribute to meaningful change. By 2030, YSL’s objective is to educate two million people around the world on IPV through its partnership with local non-profits.
Dr Beth Livingston, a US-based gender and diversity academic who has conducted research as part of the Abuse is Not Love program, says, “I knew I wanted to be involved in this initiative when I saw that YSL Beauty was not only taking a strong point of view but also was making a commitment to drive measurable change via their partnerships with leading NGOs around the world. The data on this topic is clear: IPV is a dangerous issue that affects women (and men) in all facets of their lives, including the workplace, and I believe that YSL Beauty’s efforts will help bring important resources and awareness to those in need.”
YSL Beauty’s ambassadors have expressed enthusiasm and support for the program.
“I am a vocal supporter of women’s rights and today, 600 million women in the world are living in a country where Intimate Partner Violence is not considered a crime. This is an issue that deserves attention and it is time to take action. I am proud to support my YSL Beauty family in this important initiative.” – Dua Lipa, YSL Beauty Ambassador, Libre.
“Abuse is Not Love is a much-needed initiative that is true to the spirit of Yves Saint Laurent, who supported women’s freedom and equality. Today, I’m prouder than ever to be a part of the YSL Beauty family and I look forward to working on this project together to fight against this abuse.” – Zoë Kravitz, YSL Beauty Ambassador
