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Proclamation Declaring February 2016 as Teen Dating Violence and Prevention Awareness Month. (Community Development)
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WHEREAS, President Obama proclaimed February 2016 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and called upon all Americans to support efforts in their communities and schools, and in their own families, to empower young people to develop healthy relationships throughout their lives and to engage in activities that prevent and respond to teen dating violence; and
WHEREAS, one in three girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence; and
WHEREAS, girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence, almost triple the national average; and
WHEREAS, high school students who experience physical violence in a dating relationship are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, 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, 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, two-thirds of teens who are in an abusive relationship never tell anyone about the abuse; and
WHEREAS, although 82% of parents feel confident that they could recognize the signs if their child was experiencing dating abuse, a majority of parents (58%) could not correctly identify all the warning signs of abuse; and
WHEREAS, by educating young people about healthy relationships and relationship skills and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that dating violence can be prevented; and
WHEREAS, if you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship of any kind, you can get immediate and confidential support by calling 1-866-331-...
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