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TO DECLARE FEBRUARY 2016 AS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO URGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO WORK TOWARD ENDING TEEN DATING VIOLENCE BY EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIPS, ASSISTING VICTIMS IN ACCESSING THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THEY NEED, CREATING BETTER AND MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED, INSTITUTING EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION POLICIES IN SCHOOLS, AND ENGAGING IN DISCUSSIONS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND PEERS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF THE QUIET EPIDEMIC OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE.
Whereas, the State of South Carolina ranks number one in the number of women killed by men; and
Whereas, females between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence, experiencing abuse at a rate almost triple the national average; and
Whereas, one in three 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; and
Whereas, high school students who experience physical violence in a dating relationship are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, are at greater risk of suicide and are much more likely to carry patterns of abuse into future relationships; and
Whereas, young people victimized by a dating partner are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior and unhealthy dieting behaviors and the experience may disrupt normal development of self-esteem and body image; and
Whereas, nearly half of teens who experience dating violence report that incidents of abuse took place in a school building or on school grounds; and
Whereas, only thirty-three percent of teens who are in an abusive relationship ever tell anyone about the abuse, and eighty-one percent of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they do not know if it is one; and
Whereas, by providing young people with education about healthy relationships and relationship skills and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that dating violence can be prevented; and
Whereas, it is essential to raise community awareness and to provide training for teachers, counselors, and school staff so that they may recognize when youth are exhibiting signs of dating violence; and
Whereas, the establishment of Dating Violence Prevention Awareness Month will benefit young people, their families, schools, and communities regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity; and
Whereas, everyone has the right to a safe and healthy relationship and to be free from abuse. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate declare February 2016 as Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month throughout South Carolina and urge the general public to work toward ending teen dating violence by empowering young people to develop healthier relationships, assisting victims in accessing the information and supportive services they need, creating better and more resources for young people in need, instituting effective intervention and prevention policies in schools and engaging in discussions with family members and peers to promote awareness and prevention of the quiet epidemic of teen dating violence.
This web page was last updated on February 2, 2016 at 12:19 PM