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“SUPPORTING NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1232-H1234 on March 10, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORTING NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1081) supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1081
Whereas dating, domestic, and sexual violence affect women regardless of age, and teens and young women are especially vulnerable;
Whereas approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth;
Whereas nationwide, 1 in 10 high school students (9.9 percent) has been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend;
Whereas more than 1 in 4 teenagers have been in a relationship where a partner is verbally abusive;
Whereas 20 percent of teen girls exposed to physical dating violence did not attend school on 1 or more occasions during a 30-day period because they felt unsafe either at school, or on the way to or from school;
Whereas violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications for victims, including higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide, and adult revictimization;
Whereas teen girls who are physically and sexually abused are up to 6 times more likely to become pregnant, and more than 2 times as likely to report a sexually transmitted disease, than teen girls who are not abused;
Whereas nearly 3 in 4 children, ages 11 to 14 (hereinafter referred to as ``tweens''), say that dating relationships usually begin at age 14 or younger, and approximately 72 percent of 8th and 9th grade students report ``dating'';
Whereas 1 in 5 tweens say their friends are victims of dating violence and nearly \1/2\ of tweens who are in relationships know friends who are verbally abused;
Whereas more than 3 times as many tweens (20 percent) as parents of tweens (6 percent) admit that parents know little or nothing about the dating relationships of tweens;
Whereas teen dating abuse most often takes place in the home of one of the teens in the dating relationship;
Whereas a majority of parents surveyed believe they have had a conversation with their teen about what it means to be in a healthy relationship, but the majority of teens surveyed said that they have not had a conversation about dating abuse with a parent in the past year;
Whereas digital abuse and ``sexting'' are becoming new frontiers for teen dating abuse;
Whereas 1 in 4 teens in a relationship say they have been called names, harassed, or put down by their dating partner through cellular phones and texting;
Whereas 3 in 10 young people have sent or received nude pictures of other young people on their cellular phones or online, and 61 percent who have ``sexted'' report being pressured to do so at least once;
Whereas targets of digital abuse are almost 3 times as likely to contemplate suicide as those who have not encountered such abuse (8 percent versus 3 percent), and targets of digital abuse are nearly 3 times more likely to have considered dropping out of school;
Whereas the severity of violence among intimate partners has been shown to be greater in cases where the pattern of violence has been established in adolescence;
Whereas primary prevention programs are a key part of addressing teen dating violence, and many successful community examples include education, community outreach, and social marketing campaigns that account for the cultural appropriateness of programs;
Whereas in addition to prevention programs, skilled assessment and intervention programs are necessary for youth victims and abusers;
Whereas the alarming trend of unhealthy and abusive youth relationships exists in communities across the country, and affects youth of every race, culture, sex, and socioeconomic status; and
Whereas the establishment of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in February will benefit schools, communities, families, and youth throughout the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week to raise awareness of teen dating violence in the United States;
(2) supports and encourages communities to empower teens to develop healthy relationships; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States, State and local officials, middle schools and high schools, law enforcement agencies, and other interested groups to observe National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week with appropriate programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of the crime of teen dating violence.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
General Leave
Mr. COHEN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. COHEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1081 designates the month of February 2010 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. By designating a month to teen dating violence awareness, Congress hopes to bring more attention to the problem. We also hope to underscore the need for more effective prevention and deterrence efforts to help young people break the cycle of violence.
Dating violence is a serious problem in this country, and many teens do not report it because they're afraid to tell family and friends. It often starts with teasing and name calling but escalates to more serious violence like physical and sexual assaults. Teen victims of dating violence are at greater risk of doing poorly in school and abusing drugs and alcohol. Fifty percent of young people reporting both dating violence and rape also reported increased rates of attempted suicide, compared to youth who had not been abused.
Physically abused teens are three times more likely than teens who have not been abused to experience violence during college. Teen victims also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships. According to a recent report by the American Bar Association, dating violence is occurring with people as young as 12 years of age. A Department of Justice study found that girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experienced the highest rate of intimate partner violence at a rate almost triple the national average. As a result of the growing number of deaths and injuries resulting from teen dating violence, we must recognize this type of behavior is not only a crime but also is a serious public health concern.
Today's resolution should occur in families and communities around the country to educate their teenagers about this problem and help in preventing it. I would like to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) for his leadership on this issue and this important resolution. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1081.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H. Res. 1081 which supports the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This nationwide effort seeks to increase public awareness and to educate citizens about the prevalence of dating violence among American teenagers. The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative was spearheaded by teenagers across our Nation who chose to take a stand and put a stop to teen dating violence. The initiative began in 2004 and is now supported by numerous national, State and local organizations, and in 2005, this Congress noted the importance of addressing teen dating violence and highlighted the initiative in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
The call to end dating violence was formally recognized by the House in 2006, and to bring more public awareness about teen dating violence, the House designated the first full week in February to be National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week over the last 3 years. However, the Justice Department worked with Congress to designate the entire month of February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This designation provides parity to the three other crimes--sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking--
each of which has a designated month for public education and awareness activities. Across the country, dozens of States, cities and towns join Congress to designate February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. And in doing so, these jurisdictions demonstrated their collective commitment to ending teen dating violence and to support the numerous victims and survivors who live among us.
Research tells us that one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. These violent relationships can have serious consequences for victims, putting them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult revictimization. In fact, teen girls who are physically and sexually abused are six times more likely to become pregnant and more than two times as likely to report a sexually transmitted disease as teen girls who are not abused. Perhaps the most alarming statistic is how prevalent this violence is in our country. Studies show that one in three teens has suffered from some sort of violence in a dating relationship. We also know that dating violence among children is not limited to physical, emotional or sexual assault. It also can take the form of harassment via computer or cell phone text messaging or by e-mail.
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides an opportunity for parents to engage their children about dating violence and abusive relationships. Surveys of teens indicate that parents often do not know their children are in a relationship that is abusive. To start the dialogue, parents or teens can call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474. The helpline promotes awareness of healthy dating relationships and offers tips on preventing abusive relationships. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the sponsor of this resolution.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking Chairman Cohen, Chairman Conyers, Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Poe and all of their staff for their support and work on this issue. I am proud to sponsor this resolution and hope that all of my colleagues will support this simple but important effort.
This is an important effort. It's an important step. Youth dating violence is spreading all across our country. In my congressional district, the Center for Disease Control, the Fulton County district attorney, the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, colleges, high schools, and yes, even middle schools have been seeing an increase in abusive teen relationships. Fear, stalking, bullying, violence and abuse are unacceptable and always shocking. But it is tragic that domestic abuse is a very real part of our children's relationships. We see it in the headlines. We see it on the streets. We see it with our own children. Mr. Speaker, we must break this chain. We must stop the cycle from being repeated over and over again.
The CDC worked with Liz Claiborne, Inc. to develop Dating Matters: Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention. This is a free online training course for teachers, youth leaders and family members. I encourage all those watching this discussion and debate to research this issue, take the course and watch for the signs. I think the time has come, Mr. Speaker, for us to teach our young people the way of nonviolence, our children, our teenagers, our college-aged students.
Last month, I know that many across the country recognized Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month. I hope they continue through Women's History Month and really the entire year. We used to think a week was enough time, but it is just not enough. Mr. Speaker, our communities must have the information and the training to stop teen dating violence. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense resolution.
Mr. POE of Texas. I have no further requests for time, Mr. Speaker, and I am prepared to close. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This is an important piece of legislation to bring national awareness to this problem. Some of the violence that occurs among our teenagers is horrible, the things they are doing to each other and those especially in a relationship and dating. I think it's important that the country understand that teen violence among those who are dating is a tremendous problem. I have four kids, three of them are girls, and their safety has always been a concern as they were growing up. As all parents have that concern. So I totally support this resolution and urge its adoption.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1081, which supports the goals and ideals of ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month''.
Mr. Speaker, allow these alarming statistics to speak on behalf of the importance of this resolution:
1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth.
1 in 10 high school students, nationwide, (9.9 percent) has been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
1 in 4 teenagers have been in a relationship where a partner is verbally abusive.
20 percent of teen girls exposed to physical dating violence did not attend school on 1 or more occasions during a 30-day period because they felt unsafe either at school, or on the way to or from school.
Since 2006, the United States has recognized ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week'' during the first week of February. Because of the severity of the issue, the awareness campaign was extended to include the entire month of February in 2010. This initiative increases awareness and educates others about the very real dangers of teen dating violence. This epidemic of teen dating violence is perhaps one of the most complex and invasive problems facing teenagers today.
Technology has added an additional ubiquitous and hidden feature of teen dating violence, with the use and the availability of cell phones, text and instant messaging, e-mail, and community networks. About 30 percent of teenagers who have been in a dating relationship have been text-messaged between 10 and 30 times per hour by a partner seeking to find out where they are, what they are doing, and with whom they are with. Yet 67 percent of parents are unaware that their teen is being checked up on some 30 times per day on their teen's cell phone. The warning signs of teen dating violence for young females are:
Apologizes for his behavior and makes excuses for him; loses interest in activities that she used to enjoy; and stops seeing her friends and family members and becomes increasingly isolated.
Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today with a zeal and vigor about the goals and ideals that the ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month''; because this issue, if not handled with properly, grows into domestic violence, the ugly older sister of teen dating violence. In Houston, 9 percent of Houston students surveyed in grades 9 to 12 reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. This is unacceptable! Teenagers' foremost concern should be achieving academic excellence, not dealing with physical and mental abuse, from anyone!
This Congress should be committed to tackling the roots of issues, such as teen violence and supporting this resolution will not only address with the root cause of domestic violence, but also; (1) support teen victims of abuse; (2) educate pre-teens and teenagers, both male and female, about the issue; and (3) give the support needed by organizations and groups to effectively distribute life saving information and awareness to those in need.
So in conclusion, I support H. Res. 1081 and I encourage my colleagues to join me.
{time} 1130
Mr. POE of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, H. Res. 1081.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1081.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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