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When 1 out of 3 teens experience dating abuse before high school graduation, it’s all of our responsibility to work together to end abuse once and for all. The Ask Ava series, developed by teens in our SPEAK Teen Leadership Camps, is designed to connect with and educate teens about teen dating abuse and healthy relationships. We’ll be answering each week’s question with a deeper look here on our podcast. Listen alone, with a family member or trusted adult, or friend to get answers, gain more information about this important topic and learn about resources for teens and those that care about them.

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    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 6m AVG DURATION
    • 262 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ask Ava

    Ask Ava, Ep. 258: "I'm experiencing emotional abuse...how can I get others to take me seriously?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 6:44


    Ask Ava, Ep. 258: "I'm experiencing emotional abuse...how can I get others to take me seriously?"You deserve to feel safe. Emotional abuse violates our right to make our own choices, set boundaries and give consent. Center your feelings when you communicate with others, and let them know how they can support you. If you or someone you know needs help, call and text our 24/7 helpline at 866-685-1122. We believe survivors!Support the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 257: "Do victims share responsiblity for their assault because of the clothes they wear?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 5:58


    Ask Ava, Ep. 257: Do victims share a responsibility for their assault because of the clothes they wear or the situations they put themselves in? NO! Assault only happens because the assaulter chooses to commit the assault. This question is an example of victim-blaming, and makes it harder for survivors to get the support they need. We believe survivors! Learn more on today's episode of the Ask Ava podcast. If you or someone you know need help, call and text our 24/7 helpline at 866-685-1122. For more information, visit www.safe-sound.orgSupport the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 256: "What is Denim Day?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 5:20


    Ask Ava Ep. 256: “What is Denim Day?”Denim Day is a global day of action where people make a fashion statement in support of survivors and to prevent sexual violence. Learn more about Denim Day and how you can make a difference on this week's episode of Ask Ava!If you or someone you know needs help, call and text our 24/7 helpline at 866-685-1122 or visit www.safe-sound.org for more information. Support the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 255: "Is a Big Age Gap in a Relationship Bad?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 7:49


    Ask Ava, Ep. 255: Is a Big Age Gap in a Relationship Bad?It depends….are there legal concerns? Does the age gap impact someone's ability to make choices, set boundaries and freely give consent? In this episode of Ask Ava, we explore ways to help determine if an age gap is creating a harmful or dangerous imbalance of power and control. If you or someone you know need help, call or text our 24/7 helpline at 866-685-1122.  Visit safe-sound.org for more information.Support the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 254: "Why is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Important?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 9:38


    Ask Ava, Ep. 254: Why is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Important? Together We Act, United We Change! April 2025 is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Listen to this week's Ask Ava podcast to learn how you can share information, support survivors, and prevent violence in recognition of SAAM. If you or someone you know need help, call and text our 24/7 helpline at 866-685-1122. Visit safe-sound.org for more informationSupport the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 253: What Can We Learn From the "American Murder: Gabby Petito" True-Crime Series?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 35:40


    Ask Ava, Ep. 253: What Can We Learn From the "American Murder: Gabby Petito" True-Crime Series? The recently released true-crime series soared to the number one show on Netflix and brought the horrific murder of Gabby Petito back in the spotlight of social media.  Join the Safe+Sound Somerset Outreach team as they discuss what we can learn from the show about relationship violence, red flags, and how to help a friend. If you or someone you know need help, reach out to Safe+Sound Somerset's 24/7 helpline at 866-685-1122. Support the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 252: What is the Nonfatal Strangulation and Smothering Response Team?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 21:20


    Ep. 252: What is the Nonfatal Strangulation and Smothering Response Team? Join us for this special episode with guest Andrea Treadwell, who talks with us about the dangers of strangulation and smothering and answers common questions we receive about the Safe+Sound Somerset Nonfatal Strangulation and Smothering Response TeamSafe+Sound Somerset's 24/7 Call and Text Helpline: 866-685-1122Support the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Episode 251: What if someone says "your body, my choice"?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 5:34


    Episode 251: What if someone says 'your body, my choice'?Support the showReal answers for real questions

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 250: "What if my partner needs to approve my social media posts?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 4:32


    Ep. 250: "What if my partner needs to approve my social media posts?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 249: "What if my partner makes me change what I wear?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 9:08


    Ep. 249: "What if my partner makes me change what I wear?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 248: "What if my friend stops hanging out with me because of their partner?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 4:36


    Ep. 248: "What if my friend stops hanging out with me because of their partner?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 247: "What are some green flags of a good friend?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 4:06


    Ep. 247: "What are some green flags of a good friend?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 246: "How can I leave my partner safely?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 4:04


    Ep. 246: "How can I leave my partner safely?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 245: "What if my partner is pressuring me to buy them gifts I can't afford?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 3:40


    Ep. 245: "What if my partner is pressuring me to buy them gifts I can't afford?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 244: "What if someone is bothering me at work?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 5:31


    Ep. 244: "What if someone is bothering me at work?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 243: "What if I want to leave, but my partner has been joking about suicide?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 4:08


    Ep. 243: "What if I want to leave, but my partner has been joking about suicide?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 242: "What if I feel guilty for saying 'no' to sex?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 11:17


    Ep. 242: "What if I feel guilty for saying 'no' to sex?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 241: "How can I show others that I'm a safe person?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 6:30


    Ep. 241: "How can I show others that I'm a safe person?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 240: "How do I know someone's boundaries when it comes to sex?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 11:02


    Ep. 240: "How do I know someone's boundaries when it comes to sex?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 239: "What if my partner keeps asking about sex, but I'm not ready?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 10:07


    Ep. 239: "What if my partner keeps asking about sex, but I'm not ready?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 238: "Can you take away consent after sex is over?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 4:24


    Ep. 238: "Can you take away consent after sex is over?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 237: "What if someone is bothering me at school?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 3:17


    Ep. 237: "What if someone is bothering me at school?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 236: "How many people lie about rape?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 3:36


    Ep. 236: "How many people lie about rape?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 235: "What if I pressured myself into having sex before I was ready?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 9:51


    Ep. 235: "What if I pressured myself into having sex before I was ready?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 234: "How do I set boundaries around my partner?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 5:33


    Ep. 234: "How do I set boundaries around my partner?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 233: "What if my partner wants my GPS location, but I'm uncomfortable?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 3:17


    Ep. 233: "What if my partner wants my GPS location, but I'm uncomfortable?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 232: "At what point does flirting become sexual harassment?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 4:00


    Ep. 232: "At what point does flirting become sexual harassment?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 231: "If I'm in a relationship, is it still sexual assault?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 3:51


    Ep. 231: "If I'm in a relationship, is it still sexual assault?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Ep. 230: "What if my partner keeps trying to talk to me like nothing happened?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 4:13


    Ep. 230: "What if my partner keeps trying to talk to me like nothing happened?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Episode 229: "What if someone says, 'I was just drunk, it won't happen again?'"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 4:32


    Episode 229: "What if someone says, 'I was just drunk, it won't happen again?'"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 228: "What if the way I joke around hurts others?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 4:03


    Episode 228: "What if the way I joke around hurts others?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 227: "What are some ways a friend can manipulate you mentally?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 5:31


    Episode 227: "What are some ways a friend can manipulate you mentally?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 226: "What if my ex is trying to ruin my new relationship?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 3:38


    Episode 226: "What if my ex is trying to ruin my new relationship?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 225: "If someone throws things and calls me names, is that abuse?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 4:23


    Episode 225: "If someone throws things and calls me names, is that abuse?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 224: "What if I want to say no to sex, but I'm scared they will get mad?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 9:16


    Episode 224: "What if I want to say no to sex, but I am scared they will get mad?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 223: "What if my friend tells me not to get help for them?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 11:09


    Episode 223: "What if my friend tells me not to get help for them?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 222: "Can I change my mind during sex?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 11:01


    Episode 222: "Can I change my mind during sex?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 221: "Why don't people just leave abusive relationships?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 5:59


    Episode 221: "Why don't people just leave abusive relationships?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 220: "What are the signs that someone is love bombing their partner?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 7:32


    Episode 220: "What are the signs that someone is love bombing their partner?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 219: "What if my friend keeps joking about suicide?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 4:08


    Episode 219: "What if my friend keeps joking about suicide?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 218: "What if an old friend starts saying sexual things, and I've told them to stop?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 3:40


    Episode 218: "What if an old friend starts saying sexual things, and I've told them to stop?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 217: "What if I don't trust anyone enough to tell them I'm being sexually harassed?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 3:58


    Episode 217: "What if I don't trust anyone enough to tell them I'm being sexually harassed?" Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 216: "Are people bullying me about my sexuality because I'm different?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 3:13


    Episode 216: "Are people bullying me about my sexuality because I'm different?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 215: "What are signs that your partner respects you in a healthy way?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 7:56


     Episode 215: "What are signs that your partner respects you in a healthy way?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 214: "Is it sexual harassment if I meant it in an innocent way?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 4:59


    Ep. 214: "Is it sexual harassment if I meant it in an innocent way?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 213: "What if I go home with someone, but I don't want to have sex?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 7:36


    Episode 213: "What if I go home with someone, but I don't want to have sex?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 212: "What if I don't like the way my friend's partner is treating them?"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 9:00


    Episode 212: "What if I don't like the way my friend's partner is treating them?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 211: "Can someone get help now if sexual assault happened a long time ago?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 9:41


    Episode 211: "Can someone get help now if sexual assault happened a long time ago?"Support the Show.

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    Ask Ava, Episode 210: "How do we prevent sexual assault from happening?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 10:17


    Episode 210: "How do we prevent sexual assault from happening?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Episode 209: "Is it rape if two people are married?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 5:23


    Episode 209: "Is it rape if two people are married?"Support the show

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    Ask Ava, Episode 208: "What is the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 5:49


    Episode 208: "What is the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault?"Support the show

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