HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - Proclamation - Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Preve - 2/16/2021
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, teen dating violence, also known as dating abuse, is a serious and growing problem throughout California; and
WHEREAS, teen dating violence intervention and prevention programs can help to ensur e a positive school climate and a safe learning
environment for all youth ages 12 to 24; and education and outreach programs to community members address warning signs of teen
dating violence among youth before behaviors escalate, and protect the safety of targeted youth; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for a comprehensive primary prevention
program, multiple strategies are required such as teaching safe and healthy relationship skills, engaging influential adults and peers,
disrupting the developmental pathways toward partner violence, creating protective environments, strengthening economic suppo rts
for families, and supporting survivors to increase safety and lessen harm; and
WHEREAS, each year, an estimated one in ten high school students is physically hurt on purpose by a dating partner; and according to
the American Psychological Association, one in three teens ages 14 to 20 have experienced dating abuse and about the same number
say they have committed dating abuse themselves; and
WHEREAS, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in nine female teens and one in thirteen male teens reported
experiencing physical violence in the last year; and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in seven female
teens and one in nineteen male teens reported experiencing sexual dating violence in the last year; and
WHEREAS, in Orange County, teen dating violence begins on average at 15.5 years old, or tenth grade, one in four have experienced
some form of sexual abuse in their teen dating relationships and more than 30 percent have been put down, insulted called bad names,
or humiliated/ belittled by their partner on a frequent basis; and
WHEREAS, five out of ten teens in Orange County reported having experienced abuse in only one high school dating relationship , local
research reveals nearly 35 percent of teens reported being pushed, shoved or slapped by their dating partner and almost 30 percent
reported having a partner threaten to hurt them, with nine percent of those reporting it was frequent or routine occurrence; and
WHEREAS, teen dating violence is a pattern of behavior that includes physical, verbal, sexual and emotional abuse, which can occur in
person or through electronic communication and social media; and
WHEREAS, survivors of teen dating violence have increased risk for truancy, dropout, teen pregnancy, suicide, having e ating disorders,
and engaging in other harmful behaviors such as use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and are at higher risk for victimization during
college, and adolescent perpetrators of dating violence are more likely to abuse their intimate partners as adults; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month will benefit schools, communities, families, and
all youth; now, therefore, be it
Resolved that the City of Costa Mesa proclaims the month of February 2021 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,
and supports communities to empower teens to develop healthy and violence-free relationships throughout their lives.
PRESENTED this 16th of February, 2021
____________________________________
Katrina Foley, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa