Title
Proclamation Declaring the Month of February as Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month.
Body
Proclamation
Whereas, one in three teens experience relationship abuse; 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 develop unhealthy dieting habits 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 take place in a school building or on school grounds; and
Whereas, only 33% of teens who are in an abusive relationship tell someone about the abuse, and 81% of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they do not know if it is; and
Whereas, dating violence can be prevented by educating young people about healthy relationships and how to develop strong relationship building skills, and by changing attitudes that support violence; and
Whereas, the City of Alameda Domestic Violence Task Force, comprised of Building Futures with Women and Children, Alameda Boys & Girls Club, the Alameda Police Department, Alameda Hospital, the City of Alameda, Family Violence Law Center, Alameda Family Services, Alameda Point Collaborative, Alameda's Social Service Human Relations Board, and Girls Incorporated of the Island City coordinates domestic violence prevention and intervention services in the City of Alameda, and executes outreach activities during teen dating violence awareness month and domestic violence awareness month, designed to mobilize all members of the community to take a proactive role in building a domestic violence free community; and
Whereas, the establishm...
Click here for full text