Tennis champion Serena Williams is urging a shift in the conversation about domestic violence. She believes it shouldn’t solely focus on women but should also actively engage young men in breaking the cycle of abuse.

“I think expanding the conversation with men and expanding the conversation with young men is very important,” Williams stated at a recent event launching a new anti-domestic violence initiative in New York.

For Williams, this issue transcends gender and race. “This is a human rights issue,” she emphasized. “We should all be treated the same. We should be treated equal. With domestic abuse, it doesn’t care what color you are, what background you’re from.”

Her message is clear: empower a new generation to stand against domestic violence. “It’s important to get the message out there – to our young men, to our boys, to our daughters – to let that new generation, and let the generation now know that, let’s stop this,” she declared. “Let’s change this. Let’s create a better us.”

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, is an ambassador for the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse initiative. This program aims to combat domestic violence and the accompanying financial abuse that often traps victims in these relationships.

Motherhood has further amplified the importance of this issue for Williams. “This could be something that my daughter could face and that’s not cool,” she explained. “I want her to know that she can always talk to me, and talk to other people. That maybe she doesn’t have a voice, maybe she can’t use her voice, but we can be her voice, we can support her in so many different ways.”

By advocating for a broader conversation that includes young men, Williams hopes to foster a future free from domestic violence.